The quality of healthcare for children served by Medicaid managed care plans in 34 states was mixed, according to a new report from the Department of Health and Human Services. According to data from the National Committee on Quality Assurance the quality of care for three of seven medical conditions was rated high, while four were rated low. The areas in which delivery rates to children were low included chlamydia screening in teens, as well as lead screening, follow-up care for kids with attention deficit disorder and testing for children with pharyngitis. Medicaid programs delivered relatively high-level care in cases of asthma, upper respiratory infections and childhood immunizations.

 

Medicaid/CHIP provides insurance coverage to 40 million children and teens. Considerable evidence indicates that enrolled children have much better access to primary care services than uninsured children and comparable access relative to privately insured children.

 

The Institute of Medicine released a new report that examines what has been learned from women's health research over the last 20 years and how it has been put into practice and communicated to both women and healthcare providers. Women's Health Research: Progress, Pitfalls and Promise finds that efforts to boost women's health research have lessened the burden of disease and reduced deaths among women due to cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and cervical cancer. The report finds that less, but still significant progress has been made in reducing the effects of depression, HIV/AIDS, and osteoporosis. However, we have seen little progress on several important issues, including unintended pregnancy, autoimmune diseases, alcohol and drug addiction, lung cancer, and dementia. The report also noted that socio-economic and cultural barriers limit the potential reach and impact of research developments, especially among disadvantaged women.