Econometrica Blog
Stay informed by our experts who offer their perspectives on research and new developments in their fields: health, housing and finance, and data intelligence. View our posts to learn what we can do for your organization.
ECONOMETRICA
HOME
CAREERS &
BENEFITS
Econometrica Ready for New CMS Priorities Under Brooks-LaSure
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure was sworn in as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on May 27, 2021. With any change in administration, new priorities take precedence. Akin Gump of Strause Hauer & Feld LLP wrote a primer prior to her confirmation hearings on some of the priorities CMS will pursue under Brooks-LaSure, including healthcare coverage expansion, health equity, surprise billing, and healthcare financing.
AHRQ’s MEPS-HC Health Policy Booklet Abstraction Tool Wins Prestige
Econometrica played a key role won “an award for developing an efficient data abstraction tool and the support of well-trained, highly skilled abstractors.” An Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) project on which Econometrica played a key role won an award for developing “an efficient data abstraction tool and the support of well-trained, highly skilled abstractors.” The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC) Health Policy Booklet Abstraction project, on which Econometrica served as a subcontractor to SoftDev, won recognition in the 7th Annual FedHealthIT Innovation Awards. The awards recognize and honor innovation and results in the Federal health technology and consulting community that benefits the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Military Health System, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The Evolution of the Housing Supply Shortage
For years, the United States has faced a housing shortage, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent analysis from Freddie Mac examines how a combination of strong demand and low mortgage rates have contributed to the shortfall, with estimates indicating the shortage rose 52 percent from 2.5 million in 2018 to 3.8 million in 2020.
Utilizing the Social Security Administration’s Disability Analysis File
Since 2011, the Social Security Administration has offered its Disability Analysis File (DAF) on an annual basis, compiling data from a range of internal and external data sources into one cohesive database with additional composite variables. With historical data reaching back to 1994, these files contain data on all those individuals with disabilities below retirement age who have received benefits under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs.
CMS’ New Case Study Showcases Successful Community Advisory Board Collaboration
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a case study highlighting Health Net of West Michigan, an organization participating in CMS’ Accountable Health Communities (AHC) Model. The AHC Model seeks to identify if healthcare costs and utilization can be impacted by the identification and subsequent mitigation of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries’ health-specific social needs.
Census Releases Demonstration Data and Progress Metrics for New DAS
The Census Bureau continues to roll out data and information from the 2020 census. On April 28, it provided information about a new cryptography-inspired disclosure avoidance system (DAS) to protect the privacy of respondents. Using data from the 2010 census for demonstration purposes, Census has released several files of data to solicit feedback from users. The bureau hopes users can provide detailed information on the files’ fitness-for use, privacy, and any improvements that should be made.
The State Data Resource Center’s Recommendations to Support Vaccine Equity
As of April 26, 29 percent of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated. Vaccines are now available to all U.S. adults, and 2.6 million doses are being administered in the United States every day. As vaccination rates continue to increase, it is important that vaccine distribution is monitored to ensure that vulnerable populations are reached.
Census Announces Results of 2020 Census, Population Counts for Apportionment
April 26, 2021
The U.S. Census announced on April 26 that the 2020 census shows the population of the United States is 331,449,281. This represents growth of 7.4 percent from the 2010 census.
Econometrica’s Statement Following Conviction of Derek Chauvin
April 21, 2021
The past year has been difficult for many reasons, not least because the Nation has witnessed many traumatizing instances of police brutality against Black Americans.