In designing and overseeing health programs, policymakers must grapple with the challenges associated with seeking to advance the multiple goals of providing access to care, assuring quality, and containing costs. Only with a clear understanding of available policy options and their potential advantages and disadvantages can Federal, State, and local agencies design and implement programs that meet the needs of both consumers and policymakers.

One of Health Systems Research, Inc.'s (HSR's) greatest strengths is our ability to provide expert, research-based analysis of health care programs and policy options that consider carefully their impact and implications with respect to access, quality, and cost. These analyses have included national surveys of States regarding their policy choices, indepth case studies of health programs, or expert assessments of policy options.

Medicaid policy is one of HSR’s major areas of expertise. For nearly a quarter century, HSR has worked with States to improve the effectiveness of their Medicaid programs. At the States’ request, we have assessed their program operations and helped them design creative strategies to enhance systems management. We have conducted formal evaluations of a variety of aspects of Medicaid programs, including benefit design, access to services, quality monitoring, and cost containment, for outside funders.

We also have conducted multistate studies and evaluations of policies, initiatives, and demonstrations for a number of Federal agencies and private foundations. This includes several major cross-State studies of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), for which we have conducted several major studies.

Another longstanding focus of our work is the Title V Maternal and Child Health program, including State programs for children with special health care needs. In addition to providing hands-on technical assistance to these programs, HSR has analyzed many aspects of program operations, including the integration of mental and physical health services, the design of benefit packages, and the financing of managed care programs.