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HSR provides high quality, customized analysis and technical assistance
to help national, state, and local policymakers weigh their options and
make more informed decisions with respect to health, nutrition, and human
services policies and programs.
HSR is often
called upon to assess difficult but critical policy questions. For example:
- What
are the advantages and disadvantages of alternative Medicaid managed
care capitation rate-setting methods?
- What are
the most effective ways of integrating services to meet the complex
needs of children with special health care needs?
- How has
welfare reform affected states' food stamp policies and practices?
- What
strategies work to help safety net providers remain financially viable?
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Examples of HSR policy studies include:
Managed
Care for Children With Special Health Care Needs
HSR analyzed alternative policies and systems for serving vulnerable children
in managed care environments. Model service delivery and financing systems
were defined and presented in a series of workshops for state policymakers
seeking to adapt best practices to their own Medicaid managed care programs.
Development
of Capitation Rates Under Medicaid Managed Care
HSR conducted a study of methods for determining capitation rates for
Medicaid managed care in 15 states. Actuarial methods, contracting processes,
and rate-related quality incentives were analyzed. This information assisted
legislative analysts in evaluating and defining state rate-setting systems.
Design
of Informal Caregiving Systems
This study examined, in detail, 27 programs designed to provide payment
to informal caregivers of elderly persons and people with disabilities.
HSR reviewed eligibility standards, benefits, payment levels, and financing
mechanisms, and the results of this analysis became the basis for a national
meeting of experts addressing how to improve access to long-term care.
Welfare
Reform and State Food Stamp Policies
HSR staff conducted a nationwide survey of state food stamp officials
to examine how welfare reform has affected state food stamp policies.
The study looked at sanctions, enrollment and application procedures,
state tracking, employment and training, and provisions affecting able-bodied
adults without dependents.
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