Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies

Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies
PRL-IHPS contributes to the solution of complex and challenging health policy problems through leadership in research, training, technical assistance, and public service.
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Masters of Science in Health Policy and Law
Learn more about the new on-line Masters of Science in Health Policy and Law Degree Program at UCSF and UC Hastings College of Law.
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Hal Luft Award Winner 2017
In recognition of UCSF faculty who are engaged in health services and/or health policy research in their mentoring roles which demonstrate the qualities exemplified by Dr. Harold Luft.
Hal Luft Award

 

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We are delighted to announce that Margot Kushel, MD has been selected as this year's recipient of the Harold S. Luft Award for Mentoring in Health Services and Health Policy Research, awarded by the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies.

Margot Kushel, MD is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco in the Division of General Internal Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. She was just named new Director of UCSF’s Center for Vulnerable Populations and she is also a faculty affiliate of the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies. Margot's research focuses on the causes and consequences of homelessness and housing instability, with the goal of preventing and ending homelessness, and ameliorating the effects of homelessness on health through informing clinical practice, programs, and policies. One of her current studies is looking at the causes and consequences of geriatric conditions in older homeless adults and the role of family in rehousing older homeless adults.

Award to be presented at the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies at the Laurel Heights Campus, UCSF on Sept 17, 2018 RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hal-luft-2018-award-ceremony-and-reception-tickets-48000238004

Working Parents, Take a Deep Breath: Preschool, Daycare Do Not Raise Asthma Risk

Social MediaA UCSF study that involved combing through more than 50 years of data to assess the link between asthma and daycare and preschool attendance may provide welcome reassurance to working parents. Early child care does not boost children’s risk for developing this common respiratory disease, according to the study led by researchers at UCSF and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco.

In fact, attending a child care facility is protective of asthma in children ages 3 to 5, lowering their odds of developing asthma by 34 percent, according to senior authors Michael Cabana, MD, MPH, and Janet Coffman, PhD and first author Alicia Swartz, concluded in their study published in the Journal of Asthma.

“The early benefit of child care exposure can potentially be explained by the hygiene hypothesis,” said Michael Cabana, MD, MPH, chief of the UCSF Division of General Pediatrics.  “This theory suggests that lack of exposure to infectious diseases commonly found in child care settings may decrease the risk of allergic diseases, including asthma.” 

Read more: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2018/04/410186/working-parents-take-deep-breath-preschool-daycare-do-not-raise-asthma-risk

Anthem rescinds evaluation and management reimbursement policy to cut payments

Social MediaAnthem has dropped its plan to reduce by 25 percent payments for certain evaluation and management codes. The insurer made the policy change in response to strong opposition from the American Medical Association and other physician groups. 

"Anthem's decision to drop its planned modifier 25 policy is a positive step forward, demonstrating again that when doctors and health plans work together, the best outcome for patients can be achieved," Jack Resneck, Jr., MD, AMA Board Chair, Professor in the UCSF Department of Dermatology and affiliated faculty member of IHPS, said. "This policy is one of a number of issues that the physician community has been working on with Anthem, and the AMA looks forward to continuing these efforts to find ways to collaborate on strategies to deliver affordable, high-quality, patient-centered care."

Read more: http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/anthem-rescinds-evaluation-and-management-reimbursement-policy-cut-payments