ABSTRACT
A Washington insider discusses lessons learned from communicating about the HIV/AIDS pandemic and current failures to talk effectively about COVID-19.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , COVID-19 , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , WashingtonSubject(s)
Medicare/economics , Policy Making , Politics , Budgets , Health Care Reform , Health Policy , United StatesABSTRACT
Numerous policy challenges continue to face the United States in the third decade of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, in both the health and foreign policy arenas. They include long-standing questions about care, treatment, prevention, and research, as well as new ones introduced by the changing nature of the epidemic itself and the need to balance demands for limited resources. These challenges concern the United States not only in its role as a world leader in combating a global epidemic, but in its decisions and focus at home, where the epidemic continues to take a toll.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Health Policy , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control , Disease Outbreaks/economics , Drug Costs , Female , Financing, Government , Global Health , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Health Care Rationing , Health Education , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , International Cooperation , Leadership , Male , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
States play an increasing role in setting U.S. health policy. A survey of 292 state government policymakers finds that officials are overwhelmed by the volume of information they receive and have a strong preference for information that is concise and more relevant to current debates. Younger officials are more likely to use electronic information, while older policymakers prefer printed material. Organizations of government professionals are trusted sources of information, and state agencies are a key source of data and information. Policymakers expressed a strong desire for tools to help them identify research on specific topics.
Subject(s)
Health Policy , Health Services Research/statistics & numerical data , Information Services/supply & distribution , Policy Making , State Government , Adult , Communication , Data Collection , Female , Humans , Information Services/statistics & numerical data , Internet/statistics & numerical data , Male , Middle Aged , Periodicals as Topic/statistics & numerical data , United StatesABSTRACT
Proposals to expand coverage of the uninsured through federal tax credits rely heavily on the individual insurance market. Yet the current market makes coverage less accessible, less affordable, and inadequate to meet the needs of many people without insurance, especially those who have modest incomes or are in less-than-perfect health. States' efforts to regulate the individual market can improve access for the vulnerable but, absent subsidies, may place coverage out of reach for the young and healthy. A combination of subsidies and market reforms could make insurance available to millions of Americans.