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Health Issues

This page offers an easy way for policymakers to access health research and analysis that is relevant to current Congressional agendas.

Recent Findings

Report
Using AI to Identify Youth Suicide Risk: What Does the Evidence Say?
In response to the youth mental health crisis, some schools have begun using artificial intelligence to help identify students at risk for suicide and self-harm. How are these tools being used? Are they accurate? And what risks might they bring?
Dec 5, 2023
Blog
'Israel's 9/11,' Promoting the 988 Hotline, the Future of Space: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on why the Oct. 7 attack wasn't Israel's 9/11, humanity's future approach to space, the pressing need to ensure more people know about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and more.
Nov 17, 2023
Commentary
Improving Behavioral Health Care in the Military Health System
What can be done to ensure service members have timely and equitable access to high-quality behavioral health care?
Nov 16, 2023
Commentary
How Do We Stop Relying on 911 to Handle Mental Health Crises?
Almost half of Americans are afraid that 911 is not a safe option to call for someone undergoing a behavioral health problem—and with good reason. Broader advertising and outreach about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is necessary. People simply can't call what they don't know about.
Nov 15, 2023
Report
Making Sense of Pathogen Surveillance
Pathogen surveillance—collecting and sharing data about infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance—informs key public health decisions. What pathogen surveillance initiatives exist currently? And what are the main challenges they face?
Nov 15, 2023

More Research on Health, Health Care, and Aging

Briefings

Preparing for the Future of Fentanyl: Considerations for Congress in Tackling the Synthetic Opioid Crisis
The introduction of illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids like fentanyl to U.S. drug markets has presented new challenges for policymakers working to reverse this public health crisis. What do policymakers need to consider in their efforts to address this threat? [Washington, D.C.]
Sep 13, 2019
What Are the Potential Impacts of Single-Payer Health Care?
What do policymakers need to know when thinking about single-payer proposals and their likely effects on cost and access? Jodi Liu and Christine Eibner will discuss some key characteristics of single-payer health care proposals and their likely impact as well as common misconceptions and areas of uncertainty. [Washington, D.C.]
Jan 23, 2019
States vs. the Federal Government: Marijuana Legalization in the United States
As the marijuana policy landscape continues to change from state to state, the substance remains illegal under federal law. How can action abroad help inform policy in the United States, and what are Congress' options?
Jun 9, 2017
Repeal, Replace, Repair, or Improve? The Future of the ACA
With a new administration in the White House, Congress is taking a renewed look at the Affordable Care Act. RAND senior economist Christine Eibner will brief legislators on the impacts of policies proposed by both sides of the aisle. [Washington, DC]
Mar 17, 2017
Premium Tax Credits and the Affordable Care Act: The Potential Ramifications of King v. Burwell
In February 2015, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of King v. Burwell, a challenge to the legality of the regulation authorizing premium tax credits in federally facilitated exchanges. What does this mean for the Affordable Care Act and consumers in these states?
Feb 3, 2015

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Alerts & Newsletters

RAND periodically sends alerts and newsletters to update Congress on highlights of recent work about health and health care.

Health Care Consolidation and Price Transparency
The continued rise in health care costs for patients across the United States has policymakers actively considering proposals to increase competition and transparency. RAND experts are available to answer questions you may have about the potential impacts of health care consolidation.
Aug 1, 2023
Tailoring Disaster and Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery to the Needs of Older Adults and Disabled Americans
RAND’s Mahshid Abir provides recommendations to help address the specific needs of these populations, including potential opportunities to modernize preparedness and response capabilities in the upcoming reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA).
Jul 6, 2023
Prescription Drug Markets
As policymakers consider proposals to address the high cost of drugs, RAND experts are available to provide objective and data-driven insights about prescription drug markets.
May 25, 2023
Addressing the Opioid Crisis with an Ecosystem Approach
The new report, America’s Opioid Ecosystem, provides insights into the extraordinary depth of the country’s opioid problems. Researchers offer nine action areas that could help decisionmakers prioritize and organize their efforts to address problems associated with opioid use.
Mar 16, 2023
Considering Health Care Policy in the 118th Congress
What are the biggest health care policy issues facing the 118th Congress? RAND experts offer up insight on a variety of topics including drug pricing, hospital prices and transparency, the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.
Jan 12, 2023
Prices Paid to Hospitals by Private Health Plans
A new RAND report shows that prices paid to hospitals during 2020 by employers and private insurers for both inpatient and outpatient services averaged 224 percent of what Medicare would have paid, with wide variation in prices among states.
May 25, 2022
How Do Partisan Differences Affect ACA Marketplace Participation and Subsidy Use?
As the 2022 Open Enrollment Period opens, a recent study examines how political affiliation may affect decisions to enroll through the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces and receive subsidies.
Nov 1, 2021
International Reference Pricing Would Have Saved the U.S. $83.5 Billion in 2020
A new study from researchers at the RAND Corporation estimated potential savings on U.S. drug spending under these conditions and found that implementing international reference pricing along the lines of H.R. 3 would have lowered U.S. spending on certain prescription drugs by 52.3 percent, or $83.5 billion, in 2020.
Sep 13, 2021
Initial COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign in the United States Prevented Nearly 140,000 Deaths
As the United States confronts an increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths fueled by the delta variant, a new study from researchers at the RAND Corporation and Indiana University provides support for policies that expand vaccine administration. The study finds that the first few months of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign prevented nearly 140,000 deaths and 3 million cases of COVID-19 nationwide.
Aug 26, 2021
Impacts of Consolidation and Integration on Health Systems
Public attention and regulatory scrutiny are increasingly focused on health care consolidation--both horizontal and vertical. A growing body of research sheds light on whether integration represents a value add to U.S. health care.
Aug 4, 2021
The Future of Telehealth
Policymakers are considering whether to continue the expanded role that telehealth is playing in our health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic, and if so, how to do this while ensuring appropriate utilization.
Apr 22, 2021
RAND Research on Marijuana
As policymakers consider legislative proposals to legalize marijuana, RAND experts can provide an objective and data-driven perspective on questions such as taxation design, health effects, and social equity.
Apr 13, 2021
RAND Research on Drug Pricing
Most Americans agree prescription drug prices are too high. As prescription drug prices continue to increase in United States, policymakers have been examining ways to address this issue.
Apr 5, 2021
What Contributes to COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in Black Communities?
As COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts continue, a new RAND survey reveals a high level of vaccine hesitancy and mistrust of COVID-19 vaccines among Black Americans, including among Black health care workers.
Mar 12, 2021
Policy Options for Reducing Hospital Prices Paid by Private Health Plans
Hospital spending--the largest health spending category in the United States--accounts for one-third of national health expenditures. In 2018, U.S. hospital spending totaled $1.2 trillion. A new RAND report analyzes the effects on spending of three policy options.
Feb 18, 2021
Considering Veterans Policy in the 117th Congress
What are the biggest veterans' health policy issues facing the 117th Congress? RAND experts offer up insight on a variety of topics, including mental health, quality of care, suicide prevention, and more.
Feb 16, 2021
Considering Health Care Policy in the 117th Congress
What are the biggest health care policy issues facing the 117th Congress? RAND experts offer up insight on a variety of topics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, drug pricing, health insurance markets, combatting the opioid crisis, telehealth expansion, and more.
Feb 2, 2021
New Research Shows U.S. Prescription Drug Prices Exceed Other Nations
Congress has been examining ways to combat rising prescription drug prices. According to a new report, prices for all prescription drugs in the United States were 2.56 times of those seen in 32 different Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations.
Jan 28, 2021
U.S. Pays 8x What Other Countries Would for Insulin
A new RAND study shows insulin prices are more than eight times higher in the United States than in other high-income Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
Oct 14, 2020
U.S. Hospital Price Evaluation
A new RAND study shows that prices paid for hospital care nationally during 2018 by privately insured patients average 247% of what Medicare would have paid, with wide variation in prices among states.
Sep 18, 2020
RAND Resources on the Opioid Crisis
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. is still grappling with the opioid epidemic. According to 2019 provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. had its deadliest year on record for overdose deaths, surpassing the 2017 peak.
Sep 9, 2020
What We Really Need to Make Telehealth Stick
In response to COVID-19, Congress temporarily expanded telehealth services to help make sure that people still have access to care during this public health crisis. With many of the temporary telehealth flexibilities set to expire, policymakers are looking at ways to make these changes permanent.
Aug 20, 2020
In Case You Missed It: The Strategic National Stockpile and COVID-19
COVID-19 has exposed serious weaknesses in our national preparedness for a global pandemic, including with the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Daniel Gerstein provides recommendations for rethinking the SNS to help prepare for future emergencies.
Jul 8, 2020
Public Options for Individual Health Insurance
There has been growing interest at the state and federal levels in a "public option" for individual market insurance. According to a new report, offering a public option for people who buy their own insurance could lower the cost of premiums, but on its own it is unlikely to substantially increase the overall number of people with coverage.
Jun 1, 2020
COVID-19 Decision-Support Tool for Policymakers
To slow the spread of COVID-19, state and local leaders have implemented a range of non-pharmaceutical interventions to protect communities. Now, policymakers face tough questions about when to relax or lift interventions, and how to weigh the economic cost of prolonged mitigation measures against the risk of a second wave of the crisis.
May 4, 2020

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Testimony

Tailoring Disaster and Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery to the Needs of Older Adults and Disabled Americans 2023

Mahshid Abir
Testimony presented before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on June 15, 2023.
Health Care Consolidation: The Changing Landscape of the U.S. Health Care System 2023

Cheryl L. Damberg
Testimony submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Health on May 17, 2023.
Health Care Price Transparency: Opportunities to Improve Affordability and Data Effectiveness 2023

Christopher M. Whaley
Testimony presented before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means on May 16, 2023.
Solving the Mental Health Crisis: Tackling Psychiatric Bed Shortages in California 2023

Nicole K. Eberhart
Testimony presented before the California State Assembly Committee on Budget, Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services on May 1, 2023.
State Firearm Laws and Suicide Prevention 2023

Andrew R. Morral
Testimony presented before the Vermont House Committee on Health Care on February 14, 2023.
Health Care Affordability: State Policy Options to Control Costs 2022

Christopher M. Whaley
Testimony presented before the Texas House of Representatives Select Committee on Health Care Reform on August 4, 2022.
Core Principles of Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) 2021

Christopher Nelson
Testimony presented before the Florida House of Representatives Pandemics and Public Emergencies Committee on March 16, 2021.
The Strategic National Stockpile and COVID-19: Rethinking the Stockpile: Addendum 2020

Daniel M. Gerstein
Document submitted August 21, 2020, as an addendum to testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on June 24, 2020.
The Strategic National Stockpile and COVID-19: Rethinking the Stockpile 2020

Daniel M. Gerstein
Testimony presented before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on June 24, 2020.
China's Health System Reform and Global Health Strategy in the Context of COVID-19: Addendum 2020

Jennifer Bouey
Document submitted on June 23, 2020, as an addendum to testimony before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on May 7, 2020.
China's Health System Reform and Global Health Strategy in the Context of COVID-19 2020

Jennifer Bouey
Testimony presented before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on May 7, 2020.
The Federal Research Enterprise and COVID-19: A Lesson in Unpreparedness 2020

Daniel M. Gerstein
Remarks presented to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee at a virtual roundtable on May 5, 2020.
From SARS to 2019-Coronavirus (nCoV): U.S.-China Collaborations on Pandemic Response: Addendum 2020

Jennifer Bouey
Document submitted March 5, 2020, as an addendum to testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation on February 5, 2020.
Assessment of COVID-19's Impact on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Implications from China 2020

Jennifer Bouey
Testimony presented before the House Small Business Committee on March 10, 2020.
From SARS to 2019-Coronavirus (nCoV): U.S.-China Collaborations on Pandemic Response 2020

Jennifer Bouey
Testimony presented before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation on February 5, 2020.
Cost and Affordability of Meeting California's Hospital Seismic Safety Requirements 2020

Tom LaTourrette
Testimony presented before the California State Assembly and Senate Committees on Health on January 28, 2020.
Addressing the U.S. Opioid Crisis: Using an Integrated Systems-Based Approach: Addendum 2020

Bradley D. Stein
Document submitted January 21, 2020, as an addendum to testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Opioids on December 17, 2019.
Addressing the U.S. Opioid Crisis: Using an Integrated Systems-Based Approach 2019

Bradley D. Stein
Testimony presented before the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 17, 2019.
Proposition 63 and the Future of Mental Health Funding in California: Understanding Successes and Challenges: Prevention and Early Intervention 2019

Nicole K. Eberhart
Testimony presented before an informational hearing of the California State Assembly Committee on Budget on December 9, 2019.
Scientific Evidence on the Effects of State Gun Laws 2019

Andrew R. Morral
Testimony presented before the Pennsylvania State Senate Judiciary Committee on September 25, 2019.
Implications of U.S.-China Collaborations on Global Health Issues: Addendum 2019

Jennifer Bouey
Document submitted on August 19, 2019, as an addendum to testimony before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on July 31, 2019.
Illicit Supply of Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids: Transitioning Markets and Evolving Challenges: Addendum 2019

Bryce Pardo
Document submitted on August 19, 2019, as an addendum to testimony before the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism and Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations on July 25, 2019.
Implications of U.S.-China Collaborations on Global Health Issues 2019

Jennifer Bouey
Testimony presented before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission on July 31, 2019.
Illicit Supply of Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids: Transitioning Markets and Evolving Challenges 2019

Bryce Pardo
Testimony presented before the House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism and Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations, on July 25, 2019.
Reducing Suicide Among U.S. Veterans: Implications from RAND Research 2019

Terri Tanielian
Testimony presented before the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on National Security on May 8, 2019.
Reducing Disagreements on Gun Policy Through Scientific Research and an Improved Data Infrastructure 2019

Andrew R. Morral
Testimony presented before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on March 7, 2019.
Evolution of the U.S. Overdose Crisis: Understanding China's Role in the Production and Supply of Synthetic Opioids 2018

Bryce Pardo
Testimony presented before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations on September 6, 2018.
Suicide Prevention in California: Three Goals for Developing a Statewide Plan 2018

Rajeev Ramchand
Testimony presented before the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission on May 24, 2018.
Should Canada "Start Low and Go Slow" When It Comes to Cannabis Potency? 2018

Beau Kilmer
Testimony presented before the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science, and Technology Senate of Canada on May 7, 2018.
Considering Cannabis Legalization in Canada: Prices, Taxes, and International Implications 2017

Beau Kilmer
Testimony presented before the House of Commons of Canada Standing Committee on Health on September 14, 2017.
Creating Better Support for our Nation's Hidden Heroes: A Research Blueprint for Military and Veteran Caregivers 2017

Terri Tanielian
Testimony presented before the Senate Special Committee on Aging on June 14, 2017.
Funding Considerations in the Fight Against the Opioid Epidemic: What the Science Tells Us 2017

Rosalie Liccardo Pacula
Testimony presented before the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on April 5, 2017.
Regulating Medical Marijuana Markets: Insights from Scientific Evaluations of State Experiments 2017

Rosalie Liccardo Pacula
Testimony presented before the Florida House of Representatives Health & Human Services Committee, Subcommittee on Health Quality on January 25, 2017.
Dementia Long-Term Care Policy Options for Family Caregivers and Medicare 2016

Regina A. Shih
Testimony submitted to the Senate Finance Committee, Subcommittee on Health Care on July 13, 2016.
Expanding the Use of Telehealth: Promise and Potential Pitfalls: Addendum 2014

Ateev Mehrotra
Document submitted on June 5, 2014 as an addendum to testimony presented before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health on May 1, 2014.
Expanding the Use of Telehealth: Promise and Potential Pitfalls 2014

Ateev Mehrotra
Testimony presented before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health on May 1, 2014.
Evidence on Home Visiting and Suggestions for Implementing Evidence-Based Home Visiting Through MIECHV: Addendum 2014

M. Rebecca Kilburn
Document submitted on April 16, 2014 as an addendum to testimony presented before the House Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Human Resources on April 2, 2014.
Evidence on Home Visiting and Suggestions for Implementing Evidence-Based Home Visiting Through MIECHV 2014

M. Rebecca Kilburn
Testimony presented before the House Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Human Resources on April 2, 2014.
The Monetary Costs of Dementia in the United States 2014

Michael D. Hurd
Testimony presented before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies on February 26, 2014.
Suicide Prevention in California: Strategies from Science 2013

Rajeev Ramchand
Testimony presented before the California State Senate Select Committee on Mental Health on September 24, 2013.
The Monetary Costs of Dementia in the United States: Addendum 2013

Michael D. Hurd
Document submitted on July 12, 2013 as an addendum to testimony presented before the Senate Special Committee on Aging on April 24, 2013.
Physician Payment Reform: Designing a Performance-based Incentive Program: Addendum 2013

Cheryl L. Damberg
Document submitted on July 12, 2013 as an addendum to testimony presented before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health on June 5, 2013.
What Should We Learn From Boston? 2013

Arthur L. Kellermann
Testimony presented before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on July 10, 2013.
Expanding Medicaid Is the Best Financial Option for States 2013

Carter C. Price
Testimony presented before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health June 12, 2013.
Physician Payment Reform: Designing a Performance-based Incentive Program 2013

Cheryl L. Damberg
Testimony presented before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health on June 5, 2013.
The Monetary Costs of Dementia in the United States 2013

Michael D. Hurd
Testimony presented before the Senate Special Committee on Aging on April 24, 2013.
Efforts to Reform Physician Payment: Tying Payment to Performance 2013

Cheryl L. Damberg
Testimony presented before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Health on February 14, 2013.
Allowances for Spinal Hardware under California’s Official Medical Fee Schedule: Issues and Options 2012

Barbara O. Wynn
Testimony presented before the California State Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee on May 9, 2012.
Securing the Future of the Social Security Disability Insurance Program 2012

Nicole Maestas
Testimony presented before the House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security on March 20, 2012.
Suicide Prevention Efforts and Behavioral Health Treatment in the Veterans Health Administration 2011

Katherine E. Watkins
Testimony presented before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Health on December 2, 2011.
Insights from Early RAND Research on Deployment: Effects on U.S. Service Members and Their Families 2011

James Hosek
Testimony presented before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee on July 27, 2011.
Availability of Drinking Water in California Public Schools 2008

Mark A. Schuster
Testimony presented before the California State Assembly Subcommittee on Education on April 2, 2008.
Nanomaterials in the Workplace: A Summary of the RAND Policy and Planning Workshop on Occupational Safety and Health 2007

Eric Landree
Testimony presented to Public Meeting on Research Needs Related to the Environmental, Health, and Safety Aspects of Engineered Nanoscale Materials on January 4, 2007.
Developing Process Indicators to Improve Educational Governance: Lessons for Education from Health Care 2005

Brian M. Stecher
Testimony presented to the California Little Hoover Commission on June 23, 2005.
School-Based Drug Prevention and Other Strategies For Reducing Drug Use 2005

Susan M. Paddock
Testimony presented to the Oregon State Senate and House Judiciary Committees on March 17, 2005.
After 9/11: Stress and Coping Across America 2002

Mark A. Schuster, Bradley D. Stein, Lisa H. Jaycox, Rebecca L. Collins, Grant N. Marshall, Marc N. Elliott, Annie Jie Zhou, David E. Kanouse, Janina L. Morrison, Sandra H. Berry
Testimony submitted to the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions field hearing on "9/11 and NYC Children" June 10, 2002.
The Pace of CalWORKs Implementation (February 2000) 2000

Jacob Alex Klerman
Testimony presented at a hearing of the California State Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health and Human Services (Assembly member Gilbert Cedillo, Chair) meeting in Sacramento, California, on February 15, 2000.
The Pace of CalWORKs Implementation (December 1999) 1999

Jacob Alex Klerman
Testimony presented at a hearing of the California State Senate Committee on Health and Human Services meeting in Montebello, California, on December 8, 1999.

All Testimony

Briefs

A Call for Leadership: Persistent State and Local Public Pension Crises Across the United States 2023

In untangling the facets that compose public pension crises, RAND researchers identified six common contributors: assumptions, institutional setting, poor governance, lack of expertise, policy culture, and conflicting incentives and interests.
Delivering Exceptional Pain Care to Service Members 2023

The Military Health System provides high-quality care to its service members with pain conditions, offering opioids and nonpharmacologic treatment in a manner largely consistent with recommended guidance. However, there opportunities for improvement.
Domestic Abuse Prevention and Outreach Approaches for the Military Community 2023

This study focused on identifying strategies to help prevent domestic abuse among service members and their spouses or partners before it occurs and strategies for outreach to high-risk groups that could be effective in the military environment.
Exploring Alternative Health Care Payment Models for California’s Workers’ Compensation System: Alternatives, Recommendations, and Next Steps 2023

Researchers considered possible alternative payment models for use in the California workers’ compensation (WC) system, including discussion of the unique constraints and factors embedded within the California WC environment.
Food Insecurity in the U.S. Military: Responses to Eight Topics Raised by Congress 2023

In response to a congressional query, RAND researchers examined the extent of food insecurity among military service members, their participation in food assistance programs, and the advisability of a basic needs allowance.

More Research on Health, Health Care, and Aging