Assessing the Feasibility of a Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of the Medicaid Expansions for Infants, Children and Pregnant Women

摘要

The project was designed to examine the feasibility of undertaking cost-effectiveness studies of the Medicaid expansions, which are designed to increase access to health care for pregnant mothers and children. The report incorporates a brief review of the literature related to the policy rationale and implementation experience of the expansions; a background discussion of the conceptual and methodological issues involved in carrying out cost-effectiveness studies; and a summary of the conclusions and recommendations of an expert panel found that components of cost-effectiveness studies of the expansions be given a lower priority until a more complete foundation is developed. Key items in the panel's recommended research agenda are studies of shifts in the financing and delivery of pregnancy-related care as well as evaluations of the expansions' implementation with a focus on improving their operational efficiency.