Minneapolis, MN – October 23, 2008 – Most people receive health coverage through their place of employment. However, with the continued downward trend in the economy and increasing fiscal pressures, many employers are either dropping health benefits or increasing the cost to the point that employees can no longer afford to pay their contribution for coverage. New programs known as Local Access to Care Programs, or LACPs, are being developed to give access to a network of providers who agree to offer care at a lower discounted fee or for free. A new study in The Milbank Quarterly highlights the importance of LACPs as an alternative to traditional health insurance that builds on the tradition of county-based care for the poor.
The research identified and documented new locally based health access programs in the United States that are being developed around the country to meet the health care needs of the growing number of uninsured adults for low cost.
The article finds it will be important to monitor these programs and the role they serve at a time when the country is facing a possible recession, continued pressures on the economy, and a growing number of uninsured adults.
"Our research is a first look at what is happening at the local level where communities including counties, and cities are growing increasingly concerned about the health and health access of their citizens," the authors note. "We will likely see much more innovation around LACPs as they provide access to needed medical care at a reasonable cost as the cost of formal health insurance coverage continues to increase without any sign of lessening."
This study is published in The Milbank Quarterly. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article may contact journalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net.
Lynn A. Blewett is affiliated with theUniversity of Minnesota and can be reached for questions at blewe001@umn.edu.
The Milbank Quarterly is devoted to scholarly analysis of significant issues in health and health care policy. It presents original research, policy analysis, and commentary from academics, clinicians, and policymakers. The in-depth, multidisciplinary approach of the journal permits contributors to explore fully the social origins of health in our society and to examine in detail the implications of different health policies.
Wiley-Blackwell was formed in February 2007 as a result of the acquisition of Blackwell Publishing Ltd. by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and its merger with Wiley's Scientific, Technical, and Medical business. Together, the companies have created a global publishing business with deep strength in every major academic and professional field. Wiley-Blackwell publishes approximately 1,400 scholarly peer-reviewed journals and an extensive collection of books with global appeal. For more information on Wiley-Blackwell, please visit www.wiley-blackwell.com or http://interscience.wiley.com.
Journal
The Milbank Quarterly