FEATURE STORIES

Disparities in Medicare Advantage Enrollment

Research by Norma Coe, Rachel M. Werner, et al reveals that although racial and ethnic minority enrollees had more Medicare Advantage plans available to them than white enrollees, the plans offered to them had lower quality ratings.

National Institute of Aging Awards $1.5 Million for New Initiative

The five-year grant awarded to Penn LDI and Penn's Population Aging Research Center will establish the Get Experience in Aging Research Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP) to support underrepresented students interested in careers in aging and health research.

Exploring Racism's Health Impact

Kevin Jenkins interviewed Black veterans seeking treatment for chronic kidney disease in a VA renal clinic and found that they regularly encounter racism, causing them additional emotional and physical stress.

Resources for Nurses in Maternity Units

Rebecca R.S. Clark and Eileen Lake found that the nurse work environment, including teamwork, resources, and managerial support, did not vary much across unit types. However, staffing, education, and specialty certification varied significantly.

Value-Based Payment and Skilled Nursing Facilities

A study by Bob Burke revealed that while the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Program rewarded SNFs that were already performing well, only a handful that performed poorly at the beginning of the program improved enough to avoid a penalty.

EVENTS

Possibilities, Politics, and Priorities: Transforming Long-Term Care

Featuring Senator Bob Casey, JD

Friday, May 27
9:00–10:20 a.m. ET

IN THE MEDIA

“A Shortage of Health Aides Is Forcing Out Those Who Wish To Get Care at Home.” Rachel M. Werner. NPR

“Biden Can't Do Much About Abortion Rights, but Here's What He Could Try.” Allison Hoffman. Vox

“Roe Is Under Attack: How Can I Help?” Ari Friedman. Medpage Today

“Cities Hit Record-Breaking Temps in May Heatwave.” Sameed Khatana. NBC

“Can a Monthly Injection Be the Key To Curbing Addiction? These Experts Say Yes.” Jeanmarie Perrone. The Philadelphia Inquirer

PUBLICATIONS

“Reforming Nursing Home Financing, Payment, and Oversight.” Rachel M. Werner, R. Tamara Konetzka, David C. Grabowski, and David G. Stevenson. New England Journal of Medicine

“Price Indices and the Value of Innovation with Heterogenous Patients.” Claudio Lucarelli, Sean Nicholson, Nicholas Tilipman. Journal of Health Economics

“How Referring Providers Choose Specialists for Their Patients: A Systematic Review.” Caitlin B. Finn, Jason K. Tong, Hannah E. Alexander, Chris Wirtalla, Heather Wachtel et al. Journal of General Internal Medicine

“Effect of Mailing an At-home Disposal Kit on Unused Opioid Disposal After Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Anish K. Agarwal, Daniel Lee, Zarina Ali, Yaxin Wu, Mary Cognilio et al. JAMA Network Open 

“Conditions of Nursing Practice in Hospitals and Nursing Homes Before COVID-19: Implications for Policy Action.” Rachel French, Linda H. Aiken, Kathleen E. Fitzpatrick Rosenbaum, Karen B. Lasater. Journal of Nursing Regulation

One of the world’s leading university institutes, Penn LDI is guided by our mission to improve health and health care by catalyzing collaborative, multidisciplinary research that influences policy and practice.