Safety Nets & Coverage Expansion: ITUP Recommendations - Summary


 

Publication Date: July 2007

Publisher: Insure the Uninsured Project

Author(s):

Research Area: Health

Keywords: health care eligibility; universal health care; health care reform

Type: Other

Coverage: California

Abstract:

Our purpose in this paper is to de-mystify issues of coverage expansion and local safety nets so there is adequate information for safety net stakeholders to develop consensus on the strongest possible proposal for expanded coverage. California has a diverse and extensive safety net, comprised of free and community clinics, public and private hospitals, emergency room, on-call and volunteer physicians, county health departments and county operated health plans.
In 2007 California has the potential to adopt far-reaching reforms in expanding coverage for the uninsured. These reforms would ease the burdens of uncompensated and underfinanced care on safety net systems for the uninsured.