Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP
-
J Public Health Manag Pract · Jul 2009
Changes in uncompensated pediatric ambulatory care visits for uninsured children among safety net providers after implementing a health insurance program for children of low-income families.
The role of the safety net has been debated in various proposals for healthcare reform in the United States. Yet little is known about how health coverage expansion affects the use of safety net services. This study uses data from Los Angeles County to analyze how the expansion of health insurance for low-income uninsured children has affected their utilization of ambulatory care services in safety net hospitals and health centers. ⋯ It also helps reduce uncompensated care and provides new avenues to support and stabilize the healthcare safety net. These data suggest that a state or jointly funded insurance expansion will help offset the growing burden of uncompensated care among safety net providers while improving utilization and health status among children. Universal coverage programs are not only good for children but also help stabilize the fragile healthcare safety net by reducing the demand for uncompensated care at county facilities.