View Research by Author - Sarah Benatar

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

This report presents early findings of an evaluation of San Mateo County's Health System Redesign and Adult Coverage Initiative (ACE), an effort to improve effectiveness, efficiency, and care coordination among uninsured and underserved adults in the county. Enrollment in the ACE program has exceeded expectations, yet sustained financing for the program has yet to be identified. We have observed reforms in scheduling, team-based care, and the implementation of electronic medical records. However, we found significant barriers to access for primary care and specialty appointments. This analysis is the first of several ongoing evaluation reports by the Urban Institute and UCSF.

The Los Angeles Healthy Kids program provides health insurance to low income children in the county who have no other source of coverage (including undocumented children and children above the income limits for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families). These findings from a longitudinal survey of parents of young children in the program indicate that access to medical and dental care for enrolled children increased dramatically over time, use of the emergency room went down, and parents perceived improvements in the health status of their children. This analysis is one piece of a broader Urban Institute evaluation of the program.

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