Provides guidance on key issues affecting the operations of this scholarship program designed to encourage undergraduates from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue careers in biomedical research. Shows how using disadvantaged background alone as an eligibility criterion cannot increase...

Although Medicare beneficiaries in Orange County are more affluent than in the nation overall, this profile notes substantial diversity within the county as well as pockets of particularly vulnerable beneficiaries. For example, 12 percent have incomes of $10,000 or less per year, 30 percent have...

Assesses the effects of specific welfare reform policies, as well as other factors such as the economy, on changes in the food stamp caseload between 1994 and 1999. Suggests that economic growth explains nearly half of the caseload decline over this period. TANF work requirements, work...

This policy brief suggests that efforts by policymakers to lower children’s fat intakes appear to be succeeding, but that high intakes of dietary fat and added sugars remain a cause for concern. Other problem areas include an increase in soda consumption, especially low levels of vitamin and...

Looks at the characteristics and responsibilities of organizations that mediate risk and care management responsibility between managed care organizations and individual providers, finding that some are experiencing serious financial problems.

Notes that chronically ill people who are uninsured have higher out-of-pocket medical spending and are five times less likely to see a physician than their insured counterparts.

Uses data from the Community Tracking Study to compare consumer responses on key attributes of their health plans with information provided directly by the plans, finding that consumers tend to overestimate plan restrictions, especially those on access to medical specialists.

Examines composition of households, benefits and income, age, race/ethnicity, and other characteristics. Notes that the majority (54 percent) of households contained children, and over a quarter contained disabled individuals. The average household's monthly benefit in the year 2000 was $158....

Looks at the characteristics and responsibilities of organizations that mediate risk and care management responsibility between managed care organizations and individual providers, finding that some are experiencing serious financial problems.

Uses data from the Community Tracking Study to compare consumer responses on key attributes of their health plans with information provided directly by the plans, finding that consumers tend to overestimate plan restrictions, especially those on access to medical specialists.