Falling Behind: Americans' Access to Medical Care Deteriorates, 2003-2007

Presents survey results on access to medical care for the insured and the uninsured, the healthy and the ill, and for children in wealthy and poor families. Discusses causes of unmet needs such as rising costs and obstacles in the health system and plans

Suburban Poverty and the Health Care Safety Net

Examines trends in the number of suburban poor, their access to health care, and efforts to improve safety-net services in the suburbs of five cities. Explores causes of limited safety net capacity, community strategies, and policy implications

Safety Net hospital Emergency Departments: Creating Safety Valves for Non-urgent Care

Outlines how safety-net hospitals are addressing the rise in emergency department visits for non-urgent care, such as re-directing patients to outpatient clinics or community health centers and adding primary care capacity. Discusses policy implications

More Nonelderly Americans Face Problems Affording Prescription Drugs

Analyzes 2003-07 trends in unmet prescription drug needs among Americans under age 65 by insurance status and type of coverage, income level, and the presence of chronic conditions. Explores implications of the economic downturn and changes to Medicaid

The Community Safety Net and Prescription Drug Access for Low-Income, Uninsured People

Examines strategies adopted by hospitals and community health centers to maintain access to affordable brand name and generic prescription drugs. Based on site visits to twelve nationally representative communities

Key Findings From HSC's 2010 Site Visits: Health Care Markets Weather Economic Downturn, Brace for Health Reform

Presents findings about hospital payment rate increases, hospital-physician alignment, and insurance premiums, funding for safety-net providers, and their implications from HSC's site visits to twelve nationally representative metropolitan communities

The Role of Nurses in Hospital Quality Improvement

Presents findings from interviews with hospital executives on the role nurses play in efforts to improve the quality of hospital care, factors affecting their involvement, and the challenges they face. Describes common quality improvement programs

Massachusetts Health Reform: High Costs and Expanding Expectations May Weaken Employer Support

Examines how, as a result of the state's health reform, improved access to the individual insurance market and increased employer responsibility may reduce employers' motivation and ability to provide coverage. Considers implications

Community Efforts to Expand Dental Services for Low-Income People

Examines low-income patients' limited access to dental care, as well as state and community efforts to expand services, including changing Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program reimbursement rates and licensing laws for preventive care

Orange County: Changing Market Fuels New Models of Provider Collaboration

Since 2010, Orange County has largely recovered from the economic downturn and remains a relatively well-educated community with high rates of private insurance coverage overall. Socioeconomic variation persists in this county, with the number of low-income residents growing and a large jump in the proportion of the population that gained Medi-Cal coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Other key findings include:The region's major hospital systems are expanding ambulatory services and geographic reach.Orange County physicians are increasingly giving up independence to varying degrees and joining larger physician organizations or hospital-affiliated groups to gain shelter from mounting financial pressures and administrative burdens.Providers are collaborating on new payment arrangements, with some Orange County physician organizations and hospitals working toward assuming more risk for more patients, particularly the growing numbers in preferred-provider organizations (PPOs).The proportion of Orange County residents covered by Medi-Cal has jumped, with a greater proportional increase in Medi-Cal enrollment than other California regions studied.Safety-net provider capacity is tight; private providers are playing a significant role in serving the Medi-Cal expansion population