Commentary from RAND Health Care Researchers

Bioethics
Who Gets Care When Hospitals Are Overwhelmed? Clear Policies Are Often Lacking
Jan 21, 2021

As COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surge to new highs, states, health systems, and the public continue to need clarity on health care resource allocation policy. A RAND checklist provides clear and consistent criteria for structuring such difficult decisions.
Logistics Management
Keep the Vaccine Moving to Save the Most Lives
Jan 19, 2021

The United States is waiting to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and millions of doses wait for arms. Policymakers at the national, state, and local levels have been stockpiling the shots for many reasons. While supply ramps up, policymakers could push to deliver vaccine to people instead of freezers.
Vaccination
Getting COVID-19 Vaccines to Pennsylvania Residents
Jan 19, 2021

Pennsylvania state and county health departments have a number of options that could speed the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to make sure Pennsylvania residents at high risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes are vaccinated as soon as possible.
Vaccination
As the Vaccines Arrive, So Do the Questions
Jan 11, 2021

As the first COVID-19 vaccines are being administered across the United States, countless questions have arisen about what comes next. Is one vaccine better than another? Can the United States both speed up inoculation and overcome some people's hesitance to get the shot? RAND experts offer insights into the historic vaccine rollout.
Telemedicine
Patients Log On to See Their Own Doctors During the Pandemic
Jan 7, 2021

Telehealth use has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Can this form of high-quality, low-cost care be maintained over the long term? As discussion of post-pandemic policies begins, lessons from patients' use of telehealth will provide valuable guidance.
Health Care Costs
The Astronomical Price of Insulin Hurts American Families
Jan 6, 2021

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, and nearly a quarter of them use insulin to manage their symptoms and prevent life-threatening complications. The price they have to pay for insulin is more than ten times higher than the average prices in 32 other countries combined.
Vaccination
Vaccine Nationalism Has Real Economic Consequences
Dec 30, 2020

Vaccine nationalism, in which countries prioritize their domestic needs at the expense of others, will have significant global economic consequences. Major economies actually have more to gain by helping to make an effective COVID-19 vaccine widely available globally.
Health and Wellness Promotion
Four Gifts for Your Mental Health This (Pandemic) Holiday Season
Dec 21, 2020

Our mental health relies on our ability to cope with and adapt to difficult situations, but the length and the scope of the impact of the pandemic on our lives is something most of us have never experienced. Here are four evidence-based strategies to support your mental health this holiday season.
Vaccination
A Case for Vaccinating Teachers First
Dec 19, 2020

Most agree that America's 18 million health care workers should top the list for COVID-19 vaccination. The 3.3 million teachers should come next. Vaccinating teachers could make it possible to open schools permanently and get parents back to work. That would help the economy recover.
Logistics Management
COVID-19 Vaccination: Expect the Unexpected
Dec 15, 2020

With emergency use authorization for the first COVID-19 vaccine now in place, states and localities have turned their focus to the logistics of dispensing it as quickly as feasible. Still, uncertainties abound. It is essential to build a process of learning into the plan.
Health Care Workforce
Elevating the Well-Being of Home Care Workers
Dec 10, 2020

More than 2.3 million home care workers are responsible for caring for millions of Americans who are unable to fully care for themselves. It's worth considering policy options to provide them with better access to PPE, improved compensation, and formal recognition that their work is essential.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Will Thanksgiving Be a National Super-Spreader Event?
Nov 24, 2020

Whether or not Thanksgiving will become a national super-spreader event will depend on the size of individual holiday gatherings across the country and the rate of COVID-19 cases in each community. December could be a grim month if people don't stay home on Thanksgiving.
Controlled Substances and Illegal Drugs
Being Mindful About Changing Psychedelic Policy in California
Nov 10, 2020

The question for California isn't really if psychedelic policy will change, but more likely how—and how quickly. Now is the time for the California State Legislature to consider holding hearings on psychedelics and creating a commission to assess regulatory options.
Veterans Health Care
A Voice for Veterans on Capitol Hill: Q&A with Terri Tanielian
Nov 6, 2020

Terri Tanielian, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND and an internationally recognized expert on military and veteran health, spent six months as a fellow with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. She helped the committee develop a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy.
Health Behaviors
When In Doubt, Do What Doesn't Come Naturally
Nov 5, 2020

When we are feeling anxious or depressed or otherwise bad, we experience a variety of urges toward things that we think will make us feel better, but ultimately make us feel worse. Connecting with a friend, exercising, accomplishing a task, and helping others are some things that can actually help.
Affordable Care Act
COVID-19: Preexisting Condition in a Post-ACA World?
Nov 4, 2020

The Affordable Care Act is far from perfect, but its protections are particularly relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the ACA is struck down, then protections for preexisting conditions will go with it. Policymakers should consider the potential implications for millions of COVID-19 survivors.
Veterans Health Care
There's Help for Veterans with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Nov 4, 2020

Many post-9/11 veterans who have PTSD or depression also struggle with substance use. There are clinically proven treatments to help break the cycle of the co-occurring disorders, but the VA and other facilities need guidance on how to expand and enhance treatment opportunities for these veterans.
Military Health and Health Care
All Veterans with Invisible Wounds Should Receive High-Quality Care That Meets These Standards
Oct 30, 2020

Millions of post-9/11 U.S. military veterans experience life-changing invisible wounds, including posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic issues resulting from traumatic brain injuries. While effective treatments are available, many veterans lack access to high-quality care. And what high-quality care means, exactly, has been elusive.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
How Much Do Americans Value Their Health During the Pandemic?
Oct 29, 2020

Do Americans believe that limiting the spread of COVID-19 justifies the social and economic costs of physical-distancing measures? Researchers conducted a survey to better understand how Americans weigh health against other priorities.
Social Determinants of Health
Choosing a Different Path for a Healthier Future After COVID-19
Oct 2, 2020

Today, every American community is sitting at a crossroads, as local governments continue to address the health crisis of COVID-19 while grappling with the financial realities of maintaining operations. While some communities may take a more traditional route of only investing further in health care services, there is an opportunity to take a more holistic approach and address the multitude of factors that have contributed to the devastation of COVID-19.

Browse all Health and Health Care Commentary

Reimagining the Workforce Development and Employment System

Most Attacks on Western Diplomatic Facilities Culminate in Two Hours or Less

How Threats Against Lawmakers Could Distort the Political Landscape for Years

Russia's Great Wall

Overcoming Hurdles to Herd Immunity

The Policy Currents Podcast

Getting to Know Military Caregivers and Their Needs

Helping Coastal Communities Plan for Climate Change

Improving Psychological Wellbeing and Work Outcomes in the UK

Lightening Body Armor

Commentary from RAND Health Care Researchers

Who Gets Care When Hospitals Are Overwhelmed? Clear Policies Are Often Lacking

Keep the Vaccine Moving to Save the Most Lives

Getting COVID-19 Vaccines to Pennsylvania Residents

As the Vaccines Arrive, So Do the Questions

Patients Log On to See Their Own Doctors During the Pandemic

The Astronomical Price of Insulin Hurts American Families

Vaccine Nationalism Has Real Economic Consequences

Four Gifts for Your Mental Health This (Pandemic) Holiday Season

A Case for Vaccinating Teachers First

COVID-19 Vaccination: Expect the Unexpected

Elevating the Well-Being of Home Care Workers

Will Thanksgiving Be a National Super-Spreader Event?

Being Mindful About Changing Psychedelic Policy in California

A Voice for Veterans on Capitol Hill: Q&A with Terri Tanielian

When In Doubt, Do What Doesn't Come Naturally

COVID-19: Preexisting Condition in a Post-ACA World?

There's Help for Veterans with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders

All Veterans with Invisible Wounds Should Receive High-Quality Care That Meets These Standards

How Much Do Americans Value Their Health During the Pandemic?

Choosing a Different Path for a Healthier Future After COVID-19

Connect

Contact Us

I am interested in

Follow

Stay Informed

Resources

Site Information