MACRA and Accountable Care Organizations: Is It Working?

The purpose of this study was to examine how the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) has improved health care delivery and to determine its impact on Accountable Care Organization (ACO) goals. ACOs have provided quality care through the reduction in readmission rates, coordinated care, and cost savings. With the passage of the MACRA, it has been estimated that it would further decrease Medicare spending on physician and hospital services.

The Growing Problem of Hepatitis C Virus Infection: The Case of West Virginia.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most significant public health problems currently facing the United States, especially in West Virginia. If it is undetected and left untreated, the likelihood of sustaining a treatment response decreases. While early identification has been identified as a critical focus in trying to obtain better health outcomes, new drug treatments appear promising, if somewhat expensive.

Rethinking the Obvious: Time for New Ideas on Medical Malpractice Tort Reform.

States have engaged in medical malpractice litigation reforms over the past 30 years to reduce malpractice insurance premiums, increase the supply of physicians, reduce the cost of health care, and increase efficiency. These reforms have included caps on noneconomic damages and legal procedural changes. Despite these reforms, health care costs in the United States remain among the highest in the world, provider shortages remain, and defensive medicine practices persist.