What Did Millions Do After Losing COVID Medicaid Coverage?

As COVID-19 Medicaid eligibility wound down, what happened to those losing coverage? In a study co-authored by Kate Bundorf, researchers examined the impact of Medicaid unwinding following the March 2023 end of the COVID-19 continuous coverage requirement. Analyzing Census Bureau data, they found that Medicaid enrollment dropped by approximately two million people within three months. However, the decline in overall insurance coverage was smaller, at about 467,000, likely due to transitions to employer-sponsored or private insurance. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring coverage shifts to identify at-risk populations and improve state outreach efforts, particularly for Marketplace plans.

(Photo: Microsoft Image Generator)

How Local Incentives Can Curb South Asia’s Crop-Burning Crisis

Seasonal crop burning in South Asia devastates air quality, with pollution often exceeding hazardous levels, especially in winter. In this research review, Manoj Mohanan and co-author expand on findings by Dipoppa and Gulzar, highlighting how local government incentives can reduce burning incidents. Bureaucrats act decisively when pollution affects their districts but less so when it impacts neighboring areas, a trend intensified by international borders. Despite penalties and alternatives like mechanized residue clearing, challenges persist due to high costs and logistical hurdles. Promising solutions include bioenergy production and diversifying crops, emphasizing the importance of localized, incentivized policies for tackling air pollution.

(Photo: Lucas Pezeta via Pexels)

North Carolina's Caregiver Crisis: Tackling Workforce Shortages and Training Gaps

North Carolina's caregiving system is facing a crisis as demand for services skyrockets. The direct service workforce (DSW), which supports older adults and individuals with disabilities relying on home- and community-based services (HCBS), is challenged by low wages, high turnover, and fragmented training systems. A study by Nathan Boucher, Caroline Yoon, and Zavera Basrai highlights the growing need for 23,000 new DSW jobs by 2030. The Medicaid-funded WECARE project analyzed NC’s training landscape using the Collective Impact framework, engaging stakeholders to develop a crosswalk resource. Findings emphasize the need for standardized, portable credentials to improve job quality, retention, and service delivery, alongside recommendations for modernizing DSW infrastructure.

(Photo: Matthias Zomer via Pexels)

Securing Latin America's Digital Future Against Rising Cyber Threats

Latin America faces significant cybersecurity challenges, with frequent attacks and widespread data breaches. To address these issues, the region must enhance connectivity and digital literacy. This report by Camila Herrera and Andy Kotz instructs how policymakers and stakeholders should prioritize “flow security,” a holistic approach where security and connectivity complement each other. Digital literacy is essential, enabling individuals to navigate threats and misinformation while fostering a secure digital culture. Countries like Peru and Costa Rica offer valuable models for integrating digital skills into national strategies. Collaborative efforts across governments, private companies, and social media platforms can strengthen cybersecurity and connectivity, ensuring sustainable technological growth and resilience against cybercrime.

(Photo: NASA)

The renowned author visited Sanford with an honest and hopeful message. As Sanford’s latest guest in the Rubenstein Distinguished Lecture series, Brooks walked attendees through his interpersonal expertise with humor, humility, and touching anecdotes from his own life and others he has met. Read a summary of the event (which includes a link to the recording) and a student's perspective on humanizing public policy. Brooks extended his conversation with Interim Dean Manoj Mohanan for the latest episode of Sanford's Policy 360 podcast. 

This award-winning Sanford video series gives you a dynamic view of the talented and adventurous lives of our faculty. Recent entries feature Christina Gibson-Davis, Vicki Bogan, and Jay Pearson, "20 Questions" continues to give you a glimpse into the extraordinary lives of our special researchers. Browse the series here. 

What should be made of the 2024 election results in North Carolina and nationally? Faculty members Frank Bruni, Sunshine Hillygus, and Peter Feaver, moderated by Polis: Center for Politics Director Abdullah Antepli, tackled campaign strategies and voter trends, as well as the importance of civil discourse and a renewed focus on bridging divides. Read a summary of their thoughts.

This semester, Stephen Buckley is teaching one of four courses in a Duke Immerse cluster focusing on democracy and civil discourse. His course examines the role media plays in communicating information and influencing public opinion.

A 1989 Duke graduate with a degree in political science, Buckley is a longtime journalist with stops at the Washington Post, Tampa Bay Times, and other outlets. He recently spoke with Duke Today about the class and his observations about today’s students and how they interact with media. This interview is the latest in Duke's "Dialogue Across Difference" series. Read the interview.

Duke's Provost Faculty Fellows program is a new initiative that aims to introduce Duke faculty members to key leadership roles and responsibilities and areas of strategic focus of the university. Fellows are nominated by the deans of their respective schools or colleges and selected by Provost Alec D. Gallimore. Learn more about this Duke program. 

Copyright © 2024 SSPPDuke, All rights reserved. 
You are receiving this because you are a member of the Sanford School Community or have signed up to receive it.

Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy
201 Science Drive
Durham, NC 27708 United States
919-613-7401

We respect your privacy, click here to view Duke University's privacy policy statement.