Study Finds Higher Cost Sharing Reduces Treatment Adherence, Drug Usage; Health Policy Report Examines SCHIP

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Compliance;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 09 Jul 2007 - 8:00 PDT

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"Insuring All Children -- The New Political Imperative," New England Journal of Medicine: In the health policy report, NEJM national correspondent John Iglehart discusses the history of SCHIP and the program's effect on access and quality. Iglehart also discusses the debate in Congress over reauthorizing and expanding SCHIP, which expires on Sept. 30, as well as the Bush administration's proposal to restrict program eligibility to children in families with annual incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level.

"Prescription Drug Cost Sharing: Associations With Medication and Medical Utilization and Spending and Health," Journal of the American Medical Association: The study analyzes studies published between 1985 and 2006 to determine the effects of prescription drug cost sharing on the use of medications and nondrug treatments and on health outcomes. Researchers found that more cost sharing led to reduced drug usage and adherence to treatment regimens, as well as more frequent discontinuation of therapy. The study found that for every 10% increase in cost sharing, drug spending fell by 2% to 6% (Goldman et al., JAMA, 7/4).

"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.