Research Brief
Private U.S. Health Plans Pay Hospitals 247 Percent of What Medicare Would Pay
RAND researchers used data from 49 states and Washington, D.C., to assess hospital prices paid by private health plans. Data sources included $33.8 billion in spending from 3,112 community hospitals—more than half of community hospitals nationwide.
Feb 24, 2021
Report
Health Service Utilization and Cost Outcomes from a Permanent Supportive Housing Program: Evidence from a Managed Care Health Plan
The authors assess the short-term effects of a permanent supportive housing (PSH) program—operated by a large not-for-profit managed care plan—in Southern California for adult enrollees experiencing homelessness who have chronic health conditions.
Feb 16, 2021
Report
Nationwide Evaluation of Health Care Prices Paid by Private Health Plans: Findings from Round 3 of an Employer-Led Transparency Initiative
The authors use data from 2016 to 2018 to document variation in facility prices for the commercially insured population. They report differences in standardized negotiated prices and prices relative to Medicare reimbursement rates.
Sep 18, 2020
Report
An Evaluation of the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety
The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act required an evaluation of the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety and its Civilian Marksmanship Program. This report summarizes the RAND Arroyo Center evaluation.
Feb 25, 2019
Report
Practice Expenses Associated with Comprehensive Primary Care Capabilities
To help the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reimburse primary care practices for investing in "comprehensive primary care" capabilities, the authors developed and piloted a method for estimating related practice expenses.
Nov 15, 2018
Research Brief
Housing for Health: A State-of-the-Art Program for Reducing Homelessness in Los Angeles County
This research brief summarizes the findings of a report on Los Angeles County's Housing for Health program and its effects on county costs and on the physical and mental health of people experiencing homelessness.
Dec 27, 2017
Report
Evaluation of Housing for Health Permanent Supportive Housing Program
Los Angeles County's Housing for Health provides supportive housing to patients experiencing homelessness with complex medical and behavioral health needs. This report assesses program structure and goals and effects on service use and expenditures.
Dec 5, 2017
Report
Challenges to the Sustainability of the U.S. Public Cord Blood System
We describe the existing public cord blood bank (CBB) system, assess current trends and economic relationships from the perspective of stakeholders in the CBB system, and provide recommendations for ways to improve the sustainability of the system.
Sep 29, 2017
Research Brief
Public Cord Blood Banks: Worthy of National Investment
RAND studied trends affecting public cord blood banks and considered changes to the program to buttress banks' financial stability. Researchers found a system worthy of investment, especially if it helps improve the quality of the national inventory.
Sep 29, 2017
Research Brief
Building a More Sustainable U.S. Blood System
Describes trends affecting the U.S. blood system, presents insights into its sustainability, and offers recommendations for how policymakers can ensure the safety and sustainability of the blood supply.
Nov 28, 2016
Report
Toward a Sustainable Blood Supply in the United States: An Analysis of the Current System and Alternatives for the Future
This report aims to describe the U.S. blood system, identify and discuss potential threats to the functioning and sustainability of the blood system, and describe recommendations with the potential to improve the sustainability of the blood system.
Nov 21, 2016
Report
Investment in Social Marketing Campaign to Reduce Stigma and Discrimination Associated with Mental Illness Yields Positive Economic Benefits to California
This report examines the potential impact of the California Mental Health Services Authority's stigma and discrimination reduction social marketing campaign on the use of adult behavioral health services, and it estimates the benefit-cost ratios.
Apr 14, 2016
Research Brief
Campus Climate Matters: Changing the Mental Health Climate on College Campuses Improves Student Outcomes and Benefits Society
Reports results of a survey to assess the impact of state investments in mental health programs at California public colleges and the return on investment in terms of student use of treatment, graduation rates, and lifetime earnings.
Apr 1, 2016
Report
Resources and Capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to Provide Timely and Accessible Care to Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs health care system, with broad resources and capabilities, provides timely and high-quality care to most, but not all, patients. Meeting veterans' needs over the next five years will require additional capacity.
Dec 31, 2015
Report
Payoffs for California College Students and Taxpayers from Investing in Student Mental Health
Reports results of a survey to assess the impact of CalMHSA's investments in mental health programs at California public colleges and estimates the return on investment in terms of student use of treatment, graduation rates, and lifetime earnings.
Dec 10, 2015
Research Brief
California's Statewide Mental Health Prevention and Early Intervention Initiatives Show Promising Early Results, But Sustained Investment Is Needed
Summarizes findings from an evaluation of a set of California initiatives to help reduce mental health stigma and discrimination, prevent suicide, and improve student mental health.
Sep 16, 2015
Report
Analysis of the Benefits and Costs of CalMHSA's Investment in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Estimates the possible reductions in suicide attempts resulting from investment in ASIST and estimates the financial return to Californians from reduced medical costs associated with suicide attempts and increased earnings from each life saved.
May 18, 2015
Research Brief
Should California Continue to Invest in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)? ASIST Could Save Lives and Wages and Reduce Medical Costs
Estimates the possible reductions in suicide attempts and deaths resulting from investment in ASIST and the financial return to Californians from reduced medical costs and increased earnings that would result from averted suicide attempts and deaths.
May 18, 2015