National concerns are being raised as the Oregon Health Study is now under scrutiny and the results are being called a mixed-bag.
Initially the media reported a wave of disappointment as each party prepared to defend their talking points in an effort to make their case.
The real concern is does this represent a big set-back and where will Oregon and the rest of the country go from here?
Some are quick to point out that the study did not live up to its promise or show any remarkable changes in the health of the participant, however others have noted the report indicated that lower rates of depression and a reduction in financial strain were very encouraging and should not be ignored.
Either way, the media was quick to report that the results were a let down to many Universal Health care advocates who had much higher hopes.
Governor John Kitzhaber’s top health adviser, Mike Bonetto, emphasized that the study looked at an old Oregon Health Plan, and merely confirmed the value of recent state reforms to improve care coordination. “For people who understand how fragmented the health care system can be, this isn’t necessarily a big surprise.”
Tasked with the opportunity for Medicaid expansion in Oregon, results of the the study from New England Journal of Medicine continue to create debates on Facebook, Twitter, and through national news outlets across the country.
“Last weeks report indicates that the study showed little improvement in some areas, leaving an open door for criticism”, said John Mercer of Portland.
Oregon was given a two billion dollar grant and implemented a randomly selected lottery from low-income adults. Specific criteria included screenings on blood-pressure, cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin levels, depression, medication inventories, health status, health care utilization, out of pocket expenditures and self-evaluations. These factors were then used to calculate the effect of Medicaid coverage.
The New England Journal of Medicine study reported that the Medicaid coverage generated no significant improvements in measured physical health outcomes in the first 2 years, however, it did increase use of health care services, raise rates of diabetes detection and management, lower rates of depression, and reduce financial strain.
News media headlines included:
“Study: Medicaid reduces financial hardship, doesn’t quickly improve physical health” says the Washington Post.
At the New York Times, it’s “Study Finds Expanded Medicaid Increases Health Care Use”
Expanding Medicaid doesn’t improve physical health, Oregon study finds – Deseret News
Mixed results of Oregon Health Plan study fuel national debate – Oregon Live
The Associated Press headline reads “Study: Depression rates for uninsured dropped with Medicaid coverage”