
Healthcare
Health Outcomes, Healthcare Systems, and State and Local Health Policy…
MuniNet Guide’s Healthcare page provides articles and analysis of policy recommendations and issues from leading public and private organizations specializing in healthcare, particularly as it affects cities and states. We also provide charts and analysis on the fiscal health of healthcare systems, which are important not only to investors, but also indicate the ability of the health industry to provide care in a sustainable way. Changes in trends of fiscal measures also reflect changes in policy, providing evidence of success and failure.
Fiscal Trends in Hospital Systems: Hospital Margins for 2017 Dive to Lowest Levels Since ACA Implementation
The preliminary combined compilation of operating margins for both independent and system hospitals dipped to a barely positive level of .03 of 1%, which is headed for the worst showing since 2001.
Operating margin measures the profitability of operating revenues, meaning revenues generated organically through the provision of healthcare and related services. This is a good measure of fiscal sustainability, because it does not account for revenue from outside sources, be they public money, charitable donations, or other non-operating revenues. This chart demonstrates that the actual ‘business’ of hospitals has fallen steeply since the opening impact following the implementation of the ACA program for insurance coverage starting 2014.
State Opioid Death Rates: Analysis Indicates General Economic Conditions May Not be Determinative:

Policy Analysis – State Impacts of Medicaid Expansion Repeal:
This chart, created from a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, shows uninsured rates for non-elderly persons between 2013-2016 were 2.2% greater in states that adopted the Medicaid expansion than those that did not. Other key policy implications of repeal:
In 2015, an estimated 11 million enrollees were adults made newly eligible by the expansion who could be at risk for losing Medicaid coverage.
Studies show states that Medicaid expansion states have experienced broader economic gains, like budget savings, increased employment, savings in other states programs, such as state-funded behavioral health or corrections, and increased hospital revenues.

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Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Produces evidence to improve healthcare, and works within the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services to make sure that the evidence is understood and used.
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American Hospital Association (AHA)
Professional organization representing interests of hospitals, health systems and health care providers committed to health improvement.
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS, formerly the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA).
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Healthgrades.com
Site provides objective ratings and profiles of health care providers, including hospitals, physicians and nursing homes.
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Kaiser Family Foundation - State Health Facts
Kaiser Foundation sponsored site for health care information and comparative state data center
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Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Subsidiaries & Hospitals
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Subsidiaries & Hospitals
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Medicare.gov
The official federal government website for Medicare, managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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Modern Healthcare
Healthcare industry source for business and policy news, research and searchable database, as well as events, trends and job listings.
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National Assoc. of County & City Health Officials
NACCHO is a leader, partner, catalyst, and voice in health, equity and security, representing 2,800 local public health agencies across the U.S.
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Rural Assistance Center (RAC)
Health and human services information portal for accessing quality healthcare programs, funding, and research to rural communities and residents.
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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)
Nation’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, including Centers for Medicare & Medicaid.
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U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals
Annual ranking of nearly 5,000 hospitals in 16 adult and 10 pediatric specialties, according to common and complex care and region.