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Good health policy is based on current and tested evidence. DACP studies provide evidence that supports decision-making in areas such as insurance coverage, vaccine recommendations, drug safety and effectiveness and other clinical and public health issues. DACP’s Drug Policy Research Group is a national leader in evaluating how changes in insurance coverage affect the quality and outcomes of care. They are currently examining how cost-containment policies affect the use of medication by elderly patients with chronic conditions. In addition, they have been designated by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to monitor the impact of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act, which took effect at the beginning of 2006. Of particular interest is how poor and chronically ill senior citizens will fare under this complicated and controversial new drug plan.
DACP’s Joint Initiative in Vaccine Economics (JIVE) project weighs the benefits, risks and costs of new vaccines in order to inform local, national and international policy-makers. This Centers for Disease Control (CDC)-sponsored project recently recommended that it would be beneficial and cost-effective to vaccinate teenagers and young adults for Pertussis (whooping cough), a resurging illness in the United States.
Evaluating High Deductible Health Plans
Allison Galbraith and Frank Wharam
DEcIDE (Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions About Effectiveness) Drug Policy Program
Richard Platt
Effect of changes in insurance coverage on quality and outcomes of care:
Steve Soumerai
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