Citation URL: http://www.urban.org/MichaelCousineau

Health planners must invest in programs to maximize effectiveness and reach communities with the highest need. They often lack data to rationally allocate resources based on need. Using data from multiple sources, this study asks whether the resources devoted to outreach activities and the subsequent enrollment services are aligned with estimates of uninsured children among service planning areas and health districts in Los Angeles. Funds for outreach have been relatively well allocated in proportion to the distribution of uninsured children. Differences within SPAs, particularly with respect to outreach contacts and applications completed, were more noticeable. This suggests that some reallocation of outreach investment could lead to expanded coverage in some communities.

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