,,Federal Aid Strengthens Health Care Safety Net: The Strong Get Stronger

Federal Aid Strengthens Health Care Safety Net: The Strong Get Stronger


 

Publication Date: April 2004

Publisher: Center for Studying Health System Change

Author(s): John F. Hoadley; Laurie E. Felland; Andrea Staiti

Research Area: Health

Type: Brief

Abstract:

Two new federal initiatives-community health center expansion and Community Access Program grants-have improved access to care for low-income people and strengthened linkages among safety net providers, according to findings from the Center for Studying Health System Change's (HSC) 2002-03 site visits to 12 nationally representative communities. Grant recipients have added services to fill safety net gaps or to improve collaboration among safety net providers. However, communities with weaker safety nets were less likely to receive federal aid, and funding for both programs is limited, hampering the potential impact on the nation's system of care for low-income and uninsured people.