Our Health Policy Matters

Health policy has often been in the news headlines this month.   To cite three examples, CDC released a new report about causes of death.  CMS published data showing wide variations in hospital charges for common procedures.  And, in the context of a newly-reported Oregon Medicaid expansion study, states have been making decisions about Medicaid expansion. Let's look at the mental health policy stories behind the headlines. Suicide on the Rise The CDC reported this month that as of 2009, there were more deaths from suicide in the United States than there were from motor vehicle accidents. Suicide rates increased by over 28 percent among men and women aged 35-64 from 1999 to 2010.  While men were three times more likely to commit suicide, the rate increased more for women (32 percent) than for men (27 percent). Suicide rates are highest in the west, but they are increasing in 39 states. Men are most likely to commit suicide with fire...

Health policy has often been in the news headlines this month.   To cite three examples, CDC released a new report about causes of death.  CMS published data showing wide variations in hospital charges for common procedures.  And, in the context of a newly-reported Oregon Medicaid expansion study, states have been making decisions about Medicaid expansion. Let's look at the mental health policy stories behind the headlines. Suicide on the Rise The CDC reported this month that as of 2009, there were more deaths from suicide in the United States than there were from motor vehicle accidents. Suicide rates increased by over 28 percent among men and women aged 35-64 from 1999 to 2010.  While men were three times more likely to commit suicide, the rate increased more for women (32 percent) than for men (27 percent). Suicide rates are highest in the west, but they are increasing in 39 states. Men are most likely to commit suicide with fire...