Impact of the Affordable Care Act on participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program among low-income older Medicare beneficiaries.

Background: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions, especially Medicaid expansion, are believed to have "spillover effects," such as boosting participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) among eligible individuals in the United States (US). However, little empirical evidence exists about the impact of the ACA, with its focus on the dual eligible population, on SNAP participation. The current study investigates whether the ACA, under an explicit policy aim of enhancing the interface between Medicare and Medicaid, has improved participation in the SNAP among low-income older Medicare beneficiaries.

Hospital value-based payment programs and disparity in the United States: A review of current evidence and future perspectives.

Beginning in the early 2010s, an array of Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) programs has been developed in the United States (U.S.) to contain costs and improve health care quality.

SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity in individuals with prior seasonal coronavirus infection.

We show that individuals with documented history of seasonal coronavirus have a similar SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and COVID-19 severity as those with no prior history of seasonal coronavirus. Our findings suggest prior infection with seasonal coronavirus does not provide immunity to subsequent infection with SARS-CoV-2.

A predictive tool for identification of SARS-CoV-2 PCR-negative emergency department patients using routine test results.

Background: Testing for COVID-19 remains limited in the United States and across the world. Poor allocation of limited testing resources leads to misutilization of health system resources, which complementary rapid testing tools could ameliorate.

Objective: To predict SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity based on complete blood count components and patient sex.