The Effect of Louisiana Medicaid Expansion on Affordability of Health Care

Objectives Louisiana extended Medicaid coverage on July 1, 2016, to previously ineligible populations. We aimed to estimate the effect of Louisiana’s Medicaid expansion on self-reported affordability of health care. Methods We used 2011-2019 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The BRFSS measured affordability of health care by asking respondents 2 questions: (1) whether they could not see a doctor due to cost in the previous 12 months and (2) whether they could not get a prescribed medication due to cost in the previous 12 months. We estimated difference-in-differences and difference-in-difference-in-differences analytical models using multivariable linear regression that compared trends in Louisiana with trends in states that did not expand Medicaid during the study period. Results Compared with adults aged <65 with annual household income >138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) in nonexpansion states, Medicaid expansion in Louisiana decreased the percentage of adults aged <65 with annual household income ≤138% FPL who reported being unable to see a doctor due to cost by 5.1 percentage points (95% CI, −6.5 to −3.6; P < .001) and unable to afford prescribed medication by 7.9 percentage points (95% CI, −9.2 to −6.6; P < .001). We found similar estimates when we limited the comparison group to Southern nonexpansion states. Conclusions Louisiana’s Medicaid expansion lowered cost barriers to health care. Further research may find improvements in health care affordability in states that have not yet expanded Medicaid.

Health care Affordability and Associated Concerns Among Adults Aged 65 and above in Florida

Objective: This study assessed affordability of care in a diverse sample of Floridians aged ≥ 65 to ascertain concerns about health care costs. Methods: We surveyed 170 adults (40.6% white, 27.6% black, and 31.8% Hispanic) and conducted three race/ethnic-stratified focus groups ( n = 27). Results: Most participants had Medicare (97.1%). Among whites, 11.6% reported problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months versus 14.9% of blacks and 24.1% of Hispanics. In addition, 13% of whites, 19.2% of blacks, and 20.4% of Hispanics reported not getting needed prescription drugs because of costs. The most frequently identified concerns from the focus groups were the cost of prescription drugs, out-of-pocket expenses, and medical billing. Concerns about medical billing included understanding bills, transparency, timely postings, and uncertainty about who to contact about problems. Discussion: Our findings suggest that practices that help older adults effectively manage medical bills and costs may alleviate their concerns and guard against financial burdens.

Understanding the Dimensions of Medical Crowdfunding: A Visual Analytics Approach

Background Medical crowdfunding has emerged as a growing field for fundraising opportunities. Some environmental trends have driven the emergence of campaigns to raise funds for medical care. These trends include lack of medical insurance, economic backlash following the 2008 financial collapse, and shortcomings of health care regulations. Objective Research regarding crowdfunding campaign use, reasons, and effects on the provision of medical care and individual relationships in health systems is limited. This study aimed to explore the nature and dimensions of the phenomenon of medical crowdfunding using a visual analytics approach and data crawled from the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform in 2019. We aimed to explore and identify the factors that contribute to a successful campaign. Methods This data-driven study used a visual analytics approach. It focused on descriptive analytics to obtain a panoramic insight into medical projects funded through the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform. Results This study highlighted the relevance of positioning the campaign for fundraising. In terms of motivating donors, it appears that people are typically more generous in contributing to campaigns for children rather than those for adults. The results emphasized the differing dynamics that a picture posted in the campaign brings to the potential for medical crowdfunding. In terms of donor’s motivation, the results show that a picture depicting the pediatric patient by himself or herself is the most effective. In addition, a picture depicting the current medical condition of the patient as severe is more effective than one depicting relative normalcy in the condition. This study also drew attention to the optimum length of the title. Finally, an interesting trend in the trajectory of donations is that the average amount of a donation decreases with an increase in the number of donors. This indicates that the first donors tend to be the most generous. Conclusions This study examines the relationship between social media, the characteristics of a campaign, and the potential for fundraising. Its analysis of medical crowdfunding campaigns across the states offers a window into the status of the country’s health care affordability. This study shows the nurturing role that social media can play in the domain of medical crowdfunding. In addition, it discusses the drivers of a successful fundraising campaign with respect to the GoFundMe platform.

Understanding the Dimensions of Medical Crowdfunding: A Visual Analytics Approach (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Medical crowdfunding has emerged as a growing field for fundraising opportunities. Some environmental trends have driven the emergence of campaigns to raise funds for medical care. These trends include lack of medical insurance, economic backlash following the 2008 financial collapse, and shortcomings of health care regulations. OBJECTIVE Research regarding crowdfunding campaign use, reasons, and effects on the provision of medical care and individual relationships in health systems is limited. This study aimed to explore the nature and dimensions of the phenomenon of medical crowdfunding using a visual analytics approach and data crawled from the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform in 2019. We aimed to explore and identify the factors that contribute to a successful campaign. METHODS This data-driven study used a visual analytics approach. It focused on descriptive analytics to obtain a panoramic insight into medical projects funded through the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform. RESULTS This study highlighted the relevance of positioning the campaign for fundraising. In terms of motivating donors, it appears that people are typically more generous in contributing to campaigns for children rather than those for adults. The results emphasized the differing dynamics that a picture posted in the campaign brings to the potential for medical crowdfunding. In terms of donor’s motivation, the results show that a picture depicting the pediatric patient by himself or herself is the most effective. In addition, a picture depicting the current medical condition of the patient as severe is more effective than one depicting relative normalcy in the condition. This study also drew attention to the optimum length of the title. Finally, an interesting trend in the trajectory of donations is that the average amount of a donation decreases with an increase in the number of donors. This indicates that the first donors tend to be the most generous. CONCLUSIONS This study examines the relationship between social media, the characteristics of a campaign, and the potential for fundraising. Its analysis of medical crowdfunding campaigns across the states offers a window into the status of the country’s health care affordability. This study shows the nurturing role that social media can play in the domain of medical crowdfunding. In addition, it discusses the drivers of a successful fundraising campaign with respect to the GoFundMe platform.

Determinan Faktor Partisipasi Ibu Balita Dalam Kegiatan Posyandu di Desa Kejawan Putih Tambak Kecamatan Mulyorejo

Implementation of neighborhood health center aims to reduce infant mortalityis accompanied by efforts to reduce the birth rate. For that selected priority programs such asmaternal and child welfare (MCH), family planning, nutrition improvement, immunization andprevention of diarrhea. IHC closely related with active community participation (participationmothers). Factors that influence the participation of mothers in the neighborhood health center activities include knowledge, attitude, affordability of health centers, social, economic, and health workers and cadres factors neighborhood health center.Methods this study uses an analytical methode with cross sectional approach. Total population 95 with a sample of 55 mothers, the samples were taken by simple random sampling. Data were collected by questionnaire and observation, then analyzed using statistical test Regrisi Binary Logistic with significance level of 0.05. The results showed that, the results of statistical tests Binary logistic regression showed knowledge factor (p = 0.000 <α = 0.05), showing the attitude factor (p = 0.002> α = 0.05) where health care affordability factor indicates (p = 0.003 <α = 0.05),and socioeconomic factors demonstrated (p = 0.010 <α = 0.05) and the factor of health workers and cadres posyandu (p = 0.355> α = 0.05). Based on these results it can be concluded that the knowledge factor, the affordability of the health service and social economy that affect the mother's participation in growth monitoring sessions.