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Expanding health insurance coverage: who will pay?

Recent discussions on extending health insurance to the more than thirty million uninsured Americans have focused on two strategies: expanding the Medicaid program and mandating that employers sponsor coverage for their employees. This analysis, using a microsimulation model of the U.S. health care financing system, suggests that these two options would result in very different distributions of financial burden. Employer-sponsored coverage is financed in a highly regressive fashion, in contrast to the Medicaid program, which is proportional to income. Furthermore, the burden of paying for health care under Medicaid varies little among generations, whereas the cost of employer-sponsored care is lowest in households headed by persons over sixty-five years old. Low health status populations do not pay disproportionately higher taxes or premiums to finance either the Medicaid program or employer-sponsored coverage. Their incomes, however, are more effectively protected by Medicaid, because it offers more comprehensive benefits.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗

A systematic overview of interventions to reduce physical restraint use in long-term care settings.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic integrative review was to summarize the empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of interventions or programs to reduce physical restraint use in long-term care facilities. CONCLUSIONS: Research findings indicate that physical restraint reduction programs which included an educational component, restraint removal, and interventions individualized to residents' specific needs were successful in decreasing restraint use. There were no significant negative consequences for residents or staff associated with the implementation of restraint reduction programs or interventions. Educational programs had a positive impact on nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding restraint use. Findings, however, must be considered in light of the methodological weaknesses noted in the studies. IMPLICATIONS: The practice goal of achieving least-restraint or restraint-free long-term care facilities is an appropriate and achievable one. This objective can be facilitated through ongoing mandatory educational programs for staff, individualized assessment and implementation of appropriate interventions for residents, and adequate administrative support. Well-designed research studies investigating the efficacy of specific interventions, cross-cultural issues, and longitudinal outcomes would all contribute to the further development of evidence-based practice regarding restraint use in long-term care facilities.

Journal Article↗

Xenotransplantation: consent, public health and charter issues.

There is a growing body of literature and commentary analyzing the ethical and public policy concerns associated with xenotransplantation. While this technology holds great promise to provide an almost limitless supply of organs for transplantation, there remains grave concern about possible public health ramifications. As a result, it has been recommended that patients who undergo xenotransplantations will need to agree, inter alia, to a lifetime of close health monitoring, participation in an international database and autopsy upon death. It has been suggested that this agreement would transform the nature of informed consent into a "binding contract." Though such draconian measures are understandable given the magnitude of the risks involved, would existing common law and legislation allow their implementation? This paper analyzes relevant Canadian consent and public health law in the context of the xenotransplantation. Canada is a country with a particularly rich body of informed consent jurisprudence--jurisprudence firmly rooted (rightly or not) in the ethical principle of autonomy. In this climate, many of the suggested monitoring strategies would find little support from Canadian law. Before xenotransplantations proceed, policy makers must be sensitive to the legal barriers which exist to the implementation [of] effective public health measures. Effective surveillance programs will require novel approaches to consent and the enactment of specific public health laws.

Animals↗

Compulsory treatment for drug-dependent persons: justifications for a public health approach to drug dependency.

Compulsory treatment for drug users is often rejected as neither an effective nor an acceptable exercise of state authority. Recent research studies indicate that compulsory treatment can work and that, if carefully put into effect, it can represent an important public health component of the response to drug use. Finally, a program of compulsory treatment can be shaped with concerns for due process in mind, so that civil liberties will not be violated.

Behavior Control↗

Gene therapy, fundamental rights, and the mandates of public health.

Recent and near-future developments in the field of molecular biology will make possible the treatment of genetic disease on an unprecedented scale. The potential applications of these developments implicate important public policy considerations. Among the questions that may arise is the constitutionality of a state-mandated program of gene therapy for the purpose of eradicating certain genetic diseases. Though controversial, precedents of public health jurisprudence suggest that such a program could survive constitutional scrutiny. This article provides an overview of gene therapy in the context of fundamental rights and the mandates of public health.

Abortion, Induced↗

A preventable outbreak of pneumococcal pneumonia among unvaccinated nursing home residents in New Jersey during 2001.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize risk factors for invasive pneumococcal infection in a nursing home outbreak. DESIGN: Outbreak investigation, case-control study. SETTING: A 114-bed nursing home in New Jersey. PARTICIPANTS: Case-patients were nursing home residents hospitalized with febrile respiratory illness and radiographic findings consistent with pneumonia, and either sputum specimens positive for diplococci or blood cultures positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae, with illness onset during April 3-24, 2001. Control-patients were selected randomly from remaining residents without respiratory symptoms. METHODS: Chart reviews were performed for case-patients and control-patients. Serotyping and susceptibility testing were performed on S. pneumoniae isolates. Long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) were surveyed to assess compliance with a state regulation mandating pneumococcal vaccination of residents 65 years and older. RESULTS: Nine case-patients were identified, with a median age of 86 years (range, 78 to 100 years). The median age of control-patients was 86 years (range, 58 to 95 years). No case-patients versus 9 (50%) control-patients received pneumococcal vaccine before the outbreak (OR, 0; CI95, 0-0.7). Recent antibiotic use, pneumonia history, and physical functioning were not associated with illness. Illness attack rate was 16% among all unvaccinated residents versus 0 among vaccinated residents. S. pneumoniae serotype 14, included in pneumococcal vaccine, was isolated from blood cultures of 7 case-patients. Of 361 LTCFs (42%) that replied to the survey, 28 (8%) were not complying with state immunization regulations. CONCLUSIONS: This outbreak occurred in an LTCF with low vaccine coverage. Implementing standing order programs, enforcing regulations, documenting vaccinations, and providing education might increase coverage among nursing home residents.

Aged↗

HIV infection, pregnant women, and newborns: A policy proposal for information and testing.

As the public health impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in women and children has increased, so has interest in screening pregnant women and newborns for evidence of HIV infection. However, screening of pregnant women and newborns raises profound moral, legal, and policy issues. In this article, we present and defend a detailed 10-point program of policy recommendations for both pregnant women and newborns. We advocate informing all pregnant women and new mothers about the HIV epidemic and the availability of testing.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

Evidence-based program requirements: evaluation of statistics as a required course.

A retrospective student record review was conducted to determine how achievement in a prerequisite statistics course related to achievement in nursing research courses and the overall program for undergraduate and graduate nursing students. For undergraduate students (n=218 generic, n=111 RN/BS), the statistics grade was associated with 4.3 percent of the variance in research course grades and 6.8 percent of the variance in graduating grade point average (GPA), controlling for entering GPA. For students in accelerated second-degree programs (n=33), there were minimal differences in mean research course grades and graduating GPA between students with and without prior statistics courses. For master's degree students (n=160), higher statistics grades were not associated with graduate research course grades. At best, the amount of prediction associated with statistics course grades was found to be small and not educationally meaningful. The value of statistics as a program requirement for undergraduate or graduate nursing students cannot be supported by these analyses.

Analysis of Variance↗

The impact of mandatory versus voluntary participation in the Alberta ignition interlock program.

Research has demonstrated that participation in an interlock program significantly reduces the likelihood of subsequent driving while intoxicated (DWI) convictions at least so long as the interlock device is installed in the vehicle. Despite the growing number of jurisdictions that allow interlock programs and the demonstrated success of these programs, the proportion of DWI offenders who actually have the device installed is minimal. In an effort to increase the proportion of offenders using interlocks, some jurisdictions require offenders to install an interlock as a condition of license reinstatement whereas others merely offer offenders a reduction in the period of hard suspension if they voluntarily participate in an interlock program. The objective of the present study was to determine the extent to which voluntary interlock participants are more or less successful in terms of subsequent recidivism than those for whom interlock program participation has been mandated. The issue was addressed using data from the interlock program in Alberta, Canada, which provides for both mandatory and voluntary participation. The recidivism experience of voluntary and mandatory interlock participants was examined both during and after the period of interlock installation. Cox regression revealed that, after controlling for (or equating) the number of prior DWI offenses, the survival rates of DWI offenders who were ordered to participate in the interlock program did not differ from those of voluntary participants. These results suggest that further use of mandatory interlock programs should be just as successful as voluntary programs when offenders share characteristics with those studied in Alberta.

Accidents, Traffic↗

The impact of mandatory versus voluntary participation in the Alberta ignition interlock program.

Research has demonstrated that participation in an interlock program significantly reduces the likelihood of subsequent driving while intoxicated (DWI) convictions at least so long as the interlock device is installed in the vehicle. Despite the growing number of jurisdictions that allow interlock programs and the demonstrated success of these programs, the proportion of DWI offenders who actually have the device installed is minimal. In an effort to increase the proportion of offenders using interlocks, some jurisdictions require offenders to install an interlock as a condition of license reinstatement whereas others merely offer offenders a reduction in the period of hard suspension if they voluntarily participate in an interlock program. The objective of the present study was to determine the extent to which voluntary interlock participants are more or less successful in terms of subsequent recidivism than those for whom interlock program participation has been mandated. The issue was addressed using data from the interlock program in Alberta, Canada, which provides for both mandatory and voluntary participation. The recidivism experience of voluntary and mandatory interlock participants was examined both during and after the period of interlock installation. Cox regression revealed that, after controlling for (or equating) the number of prior DWI offenses, the survival rates of DWI offenders who were ordered to participate in the interlock program did not differ from those of voluntary participants. These results suggest that further use of mandatory interlock programs should be just as successful as voluntary programs when offenders share characteristics with those studied in Alberta.

Accidents, Traffic↗

The prevention of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the United States. An objective strategy for medicine, public health, business, and the community.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the most virulent infectious agents ever encountered. This virus, estimated to kill up to a half of those infected, has spread to more than 1 million Americans. There is no safe and effective treatment. Nor is there a vaccine. From our understanding of HIV transmission, further spread of the virus can be stopped by the use of various techniques. The combined use of education-motivation-skill building, serologic screening, and contact tracing/notification could eliminate or substantially reduce transmission. To accomplish this reduction an immense concerted effort by physicians, public health practitioners, business, and community organizations is required to get across the simple prevention messages. Those messages are: Any sexual intercourse (outside of mutually monogamous or HIV antibody-negative relationships) must be protected with a condom. Do not share unsterile needles or syringes. All women who may have been exposed should seek HIV-antibody testing before becoming pregnant and, if positive, avoid pregnancy. Only through a concerted, vigorous, and sustained prevention program that deals frankly with this problem will those individuals at risk be reached and motivated to take personal responsibility to protect themselves. Without such an effort, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome will continue to kill ever-increasing numbers of Americans.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Who are the donors in organ donation? The family's perspective in mandated choice.

Evidence that families requested to permit organ donation refuse half the time has led to proposals for mandated choice. Under mandated choice, a person's donation wishes would be collected and retrieved at death, and requests to families would be avoided. There are both ethical and logistic problems with mandated choice. The view of the family should be respected in organ requests, even when patient wishes are known. Public sentiment against overriding family wishes could cause low rates of pro-donation registration. Caregivers have usually refused to take organs when families oppose donation. Logistic issues with mandated choice include the cost and complexity of maintaining a national database on donors and the enforcement of registration. No such database of adults currently exists, even for tax purposes. Two states that have mandated choice programs through departments of motor vehicles report relatively low number of pro-donation registrants compared with nondonors or undecided persons. Public education and voluntary donor identification hold more potential to increase donation.

Adult↗

A decade of drug treatment court research.

As drug treatment courts have multiplied over the past decade, so too have research evaluations conducted on their implementation and effectiveness. This article explores the decade of drug treatment court research conducted at RAND, starting with the experimental field evaluation of Maricopa's drug testing and treatment options to the most current 14-site national evaluation of courts funded in 1995-96 by the Drug Court Program Office. The article presents summaries of findings, a brief description of a drug treatment court typology, and suggestion of where future research might focus.

California↗

Structured educational program for staff development.

The development of a mandatory continuing education program for the pharmacy staff of a 675-bed hospital with 10 decentralized pharmacy satellites is described. The therapeutic topics selected for presentation were antibiotics, immunology and adverse drug reactions, diabetes mellitus and acid-base disorders. The format for each subject included a pretest of basic knowledge, a comprehensive lecture, a tape recording, supplemental handout material and readings, and a posttest. Posttests were scheduled three to four weeks following lectures to allow preparation time. Questionnaires were used to evaluate acceptance of the program. Posttest scores for each of the four topics were significantly better than pretest scores (p less than or equal to 0.0001). Questionnaire responses indicated that 97% of the participants believed the program to be worthwhile, and 94% voted to continue the series. The success and acceptance of this approach to continuing education support its application to a comprehensive program of staff development.

Chicago↗

Predicting sex offender treatment entry among individuals convicted of sexual offense crimes.

This study examined what factors were predictive of who volunteers for sex offender treatment (self-selection) as well as who enters treatment after volunteering (administration selection). Research participants included 404 treatment volunteers and 387 nonvolunteers to treatment who were convicted of a sexual offense involving minors within the federal prison system. Maximum likelihood probit estimation procedures indicated that when compared with nonvolunteers, treatment volunteers were more likely to be recommended by a judge to receive treatment at the time of sentencing, had received prior treatment for sexually deviant behavior, reported higher levels of motivation to change their sexually deviant behavior, and had lower rates of a substance use disorder in the year prior to incarceration. Of those persons who initially volunteered, 62% were accepted and entered treatment, 16% were denied entry to treatment by program staff, and 22% refused treatment after being accepted to the waiting list. When compared with those who were accepted and entered treatment, motivation was the only predictor of being denied admission into treatment by program staff and for refusal of treatment once accepted. The findings emphasize the need to control for selection bias in treatment outcome studies and the importance of examining the role of motivation in treatment volunteerism and treatment entry for sexual offenders.

Child↗

Juvenile drug treatment courts in the United States: initial lessons learned and issues being addressed.

This paper provides an overview of the development of juvenile drug treatment court programs in the United States; the goals of these programs; a comparison of the traditional juvenile justice process and services with that of the juvenile drug treatment court; and principal areas in which the juvenile drug treatment court experience has differed from that of the adult drug treatment court. The paper also provides a description of early models and the modifications and enhancements that have subsequently been instituted to enhance program effectiveness; a summary description of the range of juvenile drug treatment court activity currently underway in the United States; the nature of substance use and other issues presented by participating youth; and the major challenges juvenile drug treatment courts are currently addressing.

Adolescent↗

Federal employees health benefits children's equity. Final rule.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final regulations to implement the Federal Employees Health Benefits Children's Equity Act of 2000, which was enacted October 30, 2000. This law mandates the enrollment of a Federal employee for self and family coverage in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, if the employee is subject to a court or administrative order requiring him or her to provide health benefits for his or her child or children and the employee does not provide documentation of compliance with the order.

Child↗

Mandated collaboration: the case of the forensic MOU.

The management and support of forensic clients is an area of interest to both clinicians and policy makers. Collaboration between hospital and community service providers is required and in some instances, mandated. This article reviews some of the literature about collaboration and examines selected experiences in the mental health field using a case study method. The case study examines the process of mandated collaboration in the development of the forensic MOU (memorandum of understanding), which involved CMHA Metro Toronto, and three general hospital ACT (assertive community treatment) teams and the Law and Mental Health Program at the Centre for Addiction Mental Health. The article offers observations on the extent to which collaboration is an emergent process that is responsive to its particular environment and explores power dynamics and how trust and flexibility affect outcomes in a positive or negative sense.

Community Mental Health Services↗