Coleman Drake
@colemandrake.bsky.social
Health Economist, Associate Professor at Pitt Public Health, PhD from Minnesota by way of Cleveland. Fan of cats, jazz, that sort of thing.
Do you have a paper on health insurance policy in the Marketplace, MA, or group markets that you would like to present @ashecon.bsky.social in a panel with @dmaanderson.bsky.social @paulshafer.bsky.social sky.social and me? If so, please shoot me an email or DM!
November 25, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Do you have a paper on health insurance policy in the Marketplace, MA, or group markets that you would like to present @ashecon.bsky.social in a panel with @dmaanderson.bsky.social @paulshafer.bsky.social sky.social and me? If so, please shoot me an email or DM!
Reposted by Coleman Drake
❗NEW RAPID POLICY ANALYSIS RESEARCH ❗
With @colemandrake.bsky.social & Dylan Nagy we analyzed the affordability implications of the new 9/4/25 announcement that all individuals with incomes >250% FPL can purchase CATASTROPHIC plans in the ACA
academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
1/4
With @colemandrake.bsky.social & Dylan Nagy we analyzed the affordability implications of the new 9/4/25 announcement that all individuals with incomes >250% FPL can purchase CATASTROPHIC plans in the ACA
academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
1/4
Will Expanding Catastrophic Coverage Eligibility Increase Marketplace Premium Affordability in 2026?
David M Anderson, PhD, Dylan Nagy, MS, Coleman Drake, PhD; Will Expanding Catastrophic Coverage Eligibility Increase Marketplace Premium Affordability in 2
academic.oup.com
October 23, 2025 at 4:59 PM
❗NEW RAPID POLICY ANALYSIS RESEARCH ❗
With @colemandrake.bsky.social & Dylan Nagy we analyzed the affordability implications of the new 9/4/25 announcement that all individuals with incomes >250% FPL can purchase CATASTROPHIC plans in the ACA
academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
1/4
With @colemandrake.bsky.social & Dylan Nagy we analyzed the affordability implications of the new 9/4/25 announcement that all individuals with incomes >250% FPL can purchase CATASTROPHIC plans in the ACA
academic.oup.com/healthaffair...
1/4
🔥NEW WORKING PAPER ALERT🔥
Efficient Subsidy Targeting in the Health Insurance Marketplaces with @markmeiselbach.bsky.social & Dan Polsky, supported by @commonwealthfund.org & AHRQ.
We study how states can efficiently allocate supplemental marketplace premium subsidies
arxiv.org/abs/2510.13791
Efficient Subsidy Targeting in the Health Insurance Marketplaces with @markmeiselbach.bsky.social & Dan Polsky, supported by @commonwealthfund.org & AHRQ.
We study how states can efficiently allocate supplemental marketplace premium subsidies
arxiv.org/abs/2510.13791
Efficient Subsidy Targeting in the Health Insurance Marketplaces
Enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act reached an all-time high of approximately 25 million Americans in 2025, roughly doubling since enhanced premium tax c...
arxiv.org
October 16, 2025 at 12:48 PM
🔥NEW WORKING PAPER ALERT🔥
Efficient Subsidy Targeting in the Health Insurance Marketplaces with @markmeiselbach.bsky.social & Dan Polsky, supported by @commonwealthfund.org & AHRQ.
We study how states can efficiently allocate supplemental marketplace premium subsidies
arxiv.org/abs/2510.13791
Efficient Subsidy Targeting in the Health Insurance Marketplaces with @markmeiselbach.bsky.social & Dan Polsky, supported by @commonwealthfund.org & AHRQ.
We study how states can efficiently allocate supplemental marketplace premium subsidies
arxiv.org/abs/2510.13791
Reposted by Coleman Drake
Decreasing the cost of purchasing coverage and reducing administrative burdens should lead to a substantial increase in zero claim enrollees
balloon-juice.com/2025/08/18/z...
#HealthPolicy
#ACA
balloon-juice.com/2025/08/18/z...
#HealthPolicy
#ACA
Balloon Juice - Zero use insurance policies
The Paragon Institute insists that people who don’t generate an insurance claim is a phantom enrollment or a fraudulent enrollment. A staggering 40 percent of enrollees in 94 percent actuarial value s...
balloon-juice.com
August 18, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Decreasing the cost of purchasing coverage and reducing administrative burdens should lead to a substantial increase in zero claim enrollees
balloon-juice.com/2025/08/18/z...
#HealthPolicy
#ACA
balloon-juice.com/2025/08/18/z...
#HealthPolicy
#ACA
😆
"The pill helped people lose up to about 12% of their body weight after more than a year of treatment.…The magnitude of weight loss fell short of what some analysts were predicting: 13% to 15% or more."
Remarkable distinctions among small differences being drawn.
www.wsj.com/health/pharm...
Remarkable distinctions among small differences being drawn.
www.wsj.com/health/pharm...
Eli Lilly Shares Slide as Weight-Loss Pill Results Dent Enthusiasm
The experimental obesity medicine is one of two that could offer alternatives to weight-loss injections within the next year or so.
www.wsj.com
August 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM
😆
Reposted by Coleman Drake
The latest Pitt HPM newsletter did a nice profile of the work that my colleague @colemandrake.bsky.social and I do on administrative burdens in health insurance, and why this is such an important area of health policy to understand. (No bias whatsoever.) heyzine.com/flip-book/77...
HPM researchers are focusing on burdens that keep people from insurance coverage and health care
Created with the Heyzine flipbook maker
heyzine.com
July 29, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The latest Pitt HPM newsletter did a nice profile of the work that my colleague @colemandrake.bsky.social and I do on administrative burdens in health insurance, and why this is such an important area of health policy to understand. (No bias whatsoever.) heyzine.com/flip-book/77...
Reposted by Coleman Drake
On the folly of relying too heavily (and overly narrowly) on OHIE — well-tread ground if you were on health policy Twitter in 2013
Glad @citizencohn.bsky.social posted this response letter when WSJ would not
www.thebulwark.com/p/one-big-de...
Glad @citizencohn.bsky.social posted this response letter when WSJ would not
www.thebulwark.com/p/one-big-de...
July 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
On the folly of relying too heavily (and overly narrowly) on OHIE — well-tread ground if you were on health policy Twitter in 2013
Glad @citizencohn.bsky.social posted this response letter when WSJ would not
www.thebulwark.com/p/one-big-de...
Glad @citizencohn.bsky.social posted this response letter when WSJ would not
www.thebulwark.com/p/one-big-de...
Reposted by Coleman Drake
Hard to overstate how useful this resource is.
A few more fiddly Marketplace policies didn't make it into the Senate bill (e.g., SEP verification requirements) — probably because of Byrd concerns — but most consequential policies (including ending automatic re-enrollment with subsidies) remain
A few more fiddly Marketplace policies didn't make it into the Senate bill (e.g., SEP verification requirements) — probably because of Byrd concerns — but most consequential policies (including ending automatic re-enrollment with subsidies) remain
Tracking the Affordable Care Act Provisions in the 2025 Reconciliation Bill | KFF
KFF is tracking the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provisions in the 2025 federal budget bill, including changes related to enrollment, verifying eligiblity, and filing and reconciliation.
www.kff.org
June 17, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Hard to overstate how useful this resource is.
A few more fiddly Marketplace policies didn't make it into the Senate bill (e.g., SEP verification requirements) — probably because of Byrd concerns — but most consequential policies (including ending automatic re-enrollment with subsidies) remain
A few more fiddly Marketplace policies didn't make it into the Senate bill (e.g., SEP verification requirements) — probably because of Byrd concerns — but most consequential policies (including ending automatic re-enrollment with subsidies) remain
Reposted by Coleman Drake
It’s possible to just help people.
England will expand free school meals to 500,000 more children. By 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for free school meals in England. The policy is projected to lift 100,000 children out of poverty. buff.ly/b0C1Q8b
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Free school meals for England’s poorest children
The move, which comes after a major campaign by The Independent, said the expansion will lift 100,000 children across England out of poverty
buff.ly
June 18, 2025 at 2:25 AM
It’s possible to just help people.
Reposted by Coleman Drake
New paper out with Andrew Anderson, @laurasamuel.bsky.social, and Kali Thomas in
@jamahealthforum.bsky.social on "Medicare Advantage Part B Premium Givebacks and Enrollment"
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
@bsph-hpm.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
More below.
@jamahealthforum.bsky.social on "Medicare Advantage Part B Premium Givebacks and Enrollment"
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
@bsph-hpm.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
More below.
Medicare Advantage Part B Premium Givebacks and Enrollment
This study evaluates trends and expenditures in Medicare Advantage Part B premium givebacks and their association with plan enrollment.
jamanetwork.com
June 6, 2025 at 7:52 PM
New paper out with Andrew Anderson, @laurasamuel.bsky.social, and Kali Thomas in
@jamahealthforum.bsky.social on "Medicare Advantage Part B Premium Givebacks and Enrollment"
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
@bsph-hpm.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
More below.
@jamahealthforum.bsky.social on "Medicare Advantage Part B Premium Givebacks and Enrollment"
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
@bsph-hpm.bsky.social @johnshopkinssph.bsky.social
More below.
Reposted by Coleman Drake
Another day, another reviewer at a major medical journal rejecting my difference-in-difference study because of time-invariant differences between treated and control groups
June 3, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Another day, another reviewer at a major medical journal rejecting my difference-in-difference study because of time-invariant differences between treated and control groups
Reposted by Coleman Drake
New RESEARCH with @colemandrake.bsky.social @dludwinski.com Sarah Avina and Dylan Nagy in @jama.com #HealthForum
Examining #ZeroPremium plan turnover leads to less re-enrollment and more active choices to plan switch
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Examining #ZeroPremium plan turnover leads to less re-enrollment and more active choices to plan switch
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Coverage Retention and Plan Switching Following Switches From a Zero- to a Positive-Premium Plan
This cross-sectional study estimates how zero-premium silver plan turnover affected Marketplace coverage in 29 HealthCare.gov states after the implementation of the American Rescue Plan Act.
jamanetwork.com
May 23, 2025 at 4:05 PM
New RESEARCH with @colemandrake.bsky.social @dludwinski.com Sarah Avina and Dylan Nagy in @jama.com #HealthForum
Examining #ZeroPremium plan turnover leads to less re-enrollment and more active choices to plan switch
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Examining #ZeroPremium plan turnover leads to less re-enrollment and more active choices to plan switch
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Coleman Drake
The editorial boards of seven leading health econ journals are taking a stand today against political influence and ideological attacks on peer review and academia. No matter what you study we want to see your scholarship and will NEVER collaborate with suppression. Please repost.
The Editorial Boards of leading health economics journals are issuing a Joint Statement of Principles on Editorial Independence. In these troubled times some scholars worry their work might suffer ideological attack. We reaffirm our commitment to unfettered scholarship. Please repost.
May 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The editorial boards of seven leading health econ journals are taking a stand today against political influence and ideological attacks on peer review and academia. No matter what you study we want to see your scholarship and will NEVER collaborate with suppression. Please repost.
Reposted by Coleman Drake
turns out the GOP budget bill adds so much to deficits that it will automatically trigger cuts to Medicare (not just Medicaid).
Older voters unlikely to be happy about this when word gets out
democrats-budget.house.gov/news/press-r...
Older voters unlikely to be happy about this when word gets out
democrats-budget.house.gov/news/press-r...
CBO Confirms GOP Budget Bill Triggers Medicare Cuts
Republican Plan Adds to the Deficit, Will Trigger Automatic Cuts Under Federal Law
democrats-budget.house.gov
May 21, 2025 at 9:34 PM
turns out the GOP budget bill adds so much to deficits that it will automatically trigger cuts to Medicare (not just Medicaid).
Older voters unlikely to be happy about this when word gets out
democrats-budget.house.gov/news/press-r...
Older voters unlikely to be happy about this when word gets out
democrats-budget.house.gov/news/press-r...
Reposted by Coleman Drake
Latest House bill text includes another blow to the ACA, ending “silver loading.” That would increase premiums by $350 for a hypothetical family. Here’s why: www.brookings.edu/articles/und...
Understanding Marketplace "Silver Loading"
Christen Linke Young explains a new proposal regarding cost-sharing reductions and how it could impact families who get coverage through the ACA.
www.brookings.edu
May 22, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Latest House bill text includes another blow to the ACA, ending “silver loading.” That would increase premiums by $350 for a hypothetical family. Here’s why: www.brookings.edu/articles/und...
Reposted by Coleman Drake
Republicans have given up on repealing “Obamacare,” but apparently they are still interested in significantly cutting it. Buried in reconciliation, provisions producing at least a 1/3 reduction in marketplace enrollment:
The Spotlight Is on Medicaid Cuts, But the ACA Marketplaces Could See a One-Third Cut in Enrollment
In his latest column, President and CEO Drew Altman shows how proposals contained in the House reconciliation bill could result in a one-third reduction in ACA Marketplace enrollment. “While all eyes ...
www.kff.org
May 20, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Republicans have given up on repealing “Obamacare,” but apparently they are still interested in significantly cutting it. Buried in reconciliation, provisions producing at least a 1/3 reduction in marketplace enrollment:
Reposted by Coleman Drake
Also if they weren't "pausing" a regulation that makes it easier for elderly and disabled people to dually enroll in Medicare and Medicaid.
This policy is projected to result in 1.3 million fewer such people getting extra financial assistance from Medicaid to help pay for their meds and care.
This policy is projected to result in 1.3 million fewer such people getting extra financial assistance from Medicaid to help pay for their meds and care.
It would be easier to believe all these Republicans who say they merely want to protect what they define as “the truly needy” if so many weren’t enthusiastic supporters of 2017 legislation to cut Medicaid for those very same people
May 21, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Also if they weren't "pausing" a regulation that makes it easier for elderly and disabled people to dually enroll in Medicare and Medicaid.
This policy is projected to result in 1.3 million fewer such people getting extra financial assistance from Medicaid to help pay for their meds and care.
This policy is projected to result in 1.3 million fewer such people getting extra financial assistance from Medicaid to help pay for their meds and care.
Reposted by Coleman Drake
If there is one thing to know this week, it’s this: The combined impact of proposed #Medicaid changes, reduced premium tax credits, and the establishing of new enrollment barriers would erode ACA coverage gains to the tune of 13.7 million more Americans being uninsured by 2034.
Many of the Medicaid proposals from House Republicans are technical and wonky, and will be difficult for the public to absorb.
What won’t be difficult to absorb: CBO’s estimate that the changes will increase the number of people without health insurance by at least 8.6 million.
What won’t be difficult to absorb: CBO’s estimate that the changes will increase the number of people without health insurance by at least 8.6 million.
May 13, 2025 at 11:47 PM
If there is one thing to know this week, it’s this: The combined impact of proposed #Medicaid changes, reduced premium tax credits, and the establishing of new enrollment barriers would erode ACA coverage gains to the tune of 13.7 million more Americans being uninsured by 2034.
Reposted by Coleman Drake
#Section1332 #Reinsurance #ACA waivers would become much more expensive for states in a no #Silverload scenario
@colemandrake.bsky.social @egolberstein.bsky.social @dludwinski.com @adrianna.bsky.social
@standorn.bsky.social @charlesgaba.com
balloon-juice.com/2025/05/08/s...
@colemandrake.bsky.social @egolberstein.bsky.social @dludwinski.com @adrianna.bsky.social
@standorn.bsky.social @charlesgaba.com
balloon-juice.com/2025/05/08/s...
Balloon Juice - Section 1332 Reinsurance Waivers and Silverloading
We talked earlier this week that the Republican reconciliation bill may contain a direct payment appropriation for Cost-Sharing Reduction (CSR) subsidies in the ACA. This would end the practice of “S...
balloon-juice.com
May 8, 2025 at 2:18 PM
#Section1332 #Reinsurance #ACA waivers would become much more expensive for states in a no #Silverload scenario
@colemandrake.bsky.social @egolberstein.bsky.social @dludwinski.com @adrianna.bsky.social
@standorn.bsky.social @charlesgaba.com
balloon-juice.com/2025/05/08/s...
@colemandrake.bsky.social @egolberstein.bsky.social @dludwinski.com @adrianna.bsky.social
@standorn.bsky.social @charlesgaba.com
balloon-juice.com/2025/05/08/s...
New today @healthaffairs.bsky.social w/ @dmaanderson.bsky.social, Naomi Zewde, and Adam Biener on how states can implement #BasicHealthPlan to continue offering quality, affordable coverage to low income subsidized Marketplace enrollees. @commonwealthfund.org
www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
Basic Health Plans: A Promising Alternative Amidst Marketplace Subsidy Decreases | Health Affairs Forefront
Unless Congress acts to renew them by the end of this year, enhanced premium subsidies for the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplaces will come to an end. To substantially reduce coverage losses among low...
www.healthaffairs.org
May 7, 2025 at 2:23 PM
New today @healthaffairs.bsky.social w/ @dmaanderson.bsky.social, Naomi Zewde, and Adam Biener on how states can implement #BasicHealthPlan to continue offering quality, affordable coverage to low income subsidized Marketplace enrollees. @commonwealthfund.org
www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
www.healthaffairs.org/content/fore...
Well these are the most appropriate and reasonable award winners in the history of award winners. Congrats! @johnmullahy.bsky.social @edwardnorton.bsky.social
Congratulations to John Mullahy and Edward C. Norton, co-winners of the 2025 Willard G. Manning Memorial Award for the Best Research in Health Econometrics.
Learn more about the ASHEcon Awards here 👉 ashecon.org/2025-ashecon...
Learn more about the ASHEcon Awards here 👉 ashecon.org/2025-ashecon...
May 7, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Well these are the most appropriate and reasonable award winners in the history of award winners. Congrats! @johnmullahy.bsky.social @edwardnorton.bsky.social
Reposted by Coleman Drake
The child mental health crisis has existed for decades, but the link between poor mental health and youth suicide is mediated by policy and can be broken, from Janet Currie https://www.nber.org/papers/w33632
April 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The child mental health crisis has existed for decades, but the link between poor mental health and youth suicide is mediated by policy and can be broken, from Janet Currie https://www.nber.org/papers/w33632
Reposted by Coleman Drake
Worth noting that research that found that ACA insurance expansions saved lives occurred in a context of a good/improving labor market. This triple whammy would likely have real consequences for Americans' health.
A recession with job losses, combined with Medicaid cuts, combined with an end to enhanced ACA premium aid, would be quite a triple whammy for health coverage.
April 4, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Worth noting that research that found that ACA insurance expansions saved lives occurred in a context of a good/improving labor market. This triple whammy would likely have real consequences for Americans' health.