Health Care Policy | Penn Today

Expanding essential wound care for people who use drugs

A new study from Penn’s School of Nursing, published in the Harm Reduction Journal, identifies critical factors and strategies for expanding low-barrier wound care services for people who use drugs. The research comes as the rise of xylazine, a tranquilizer found in the street opioid supply, has led to a significant increase in severe necrotic wounds among this population.

Improving care for disadvantaged patients

New research from Penn Nursing provides insight on the critical factors that help or hinder hospital nurses in delivering quality care to socially disadvantaged patients.

1 min. read

Long-term care in the U.S. faces two existential threats: an immigration crackdown and Medicaid cuts

In a co-written opinion essay, Rachel M. Werner of the Leonard Davis Institute and Perelman School of Medicine outlines two major threats to U.S. long-term care: the ongoing immigration crackdown and federal cuts to Medicaid.

Study finds Scottish Safe Staffing Act implementation facing challenges

A new study from Penn’s School of Nursing reveals that the Scotland Act, which aims to ensure safe nurse staffing through guiding principles, duties, and a common staffing method, is not being consistently followed, according to nurses on the frontlines.

2 min. read

Letters to the editor: Remove barriers

In a letter to the editor, Dean Antonia Villarruel of the School of Nursing explains why Pennsylvania should allow full practice authority for advanced registered nurse practitioners.

Loss of Medicare Part D subsidy linked to higher mortality among low-income older adults

A new Penn Medicine study reveals that losing Medicaid coverage saw mortality rates jump between 4 and 22 percent.

2 min. read

Trump and GOP’s tax bill would force cuts to Medicare, CBO says

Eric Roberts of the Perelman School of Medicine says that the size of Medicaid and Medicare programs and the number of people they impact means that no single piece can be cut without cascading effects.

Study sheds light on why for-profit hospitals have worse nursing and patient outcomes

Penn Nursing researchers find that for-profit facilities in Illinois have lower investments in nursing services than not-for-profit ones, despite no statistically significant difference in operating margins.

2 min. read

New studies show what’s at stake if Medicaid is scaled back

A study co-authored by Eric Roberts of the Perelman School of Medicine finds that patients who lose access to Medicaid and Medicare coverage fill fewer prescriptions on average and are more likely to die, depending on their conditions and drug costs.

Penn Nursing dean contributes to Aspen Health Strategy Group Report Urging Action on Youth Mental Health

A new report from the Aspen Health Strategy Group, “Addressing the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Crisis,” emphasizes the urgent need for health sector leadership in addressing the growing youth mental health crisis; Penn Nursing Dean Antonia M. Villarruel is one of 20 contributors.

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Expanding essential wound care for people who use drugs

Improving care for disadvantaged patients

Long-term care in the U.S. faces two existential threats: an immigration crackdown and Medicaid cuts

Study finds Scottish Safe Staffing Act implementation facing challenges

Letters to the editor: Remove barriers

Loss of Medicare Part D subsidy linked to higher mortality among low-income older adults

Trump and GOP’s tax bill would force cuts to Medicare, CBO says

Study sheds light on why for-profit hospitals have worse nursing and patient outcomes

New studies show what’s at stake if Medicaid is scaled back

Penn Nursing dean contributes to Aspen Health Strategy Group Report Urging Action on Youth Mental Health