Health Care Opinion Leaders' Views on Vulnerable Populations in the U.S. Health System

Virtually all leaders in health care and health care policy believe traditional safety-net institutions such as community health centers, public hospitals, and faith-based and mission-driven organizations will still fulfill critical roles in the U.S. health system after implementation of the Affordable Care Act, according to a Commonwealth Fund/Modern Healthcare Health Care Opinion Leaders Survey. Nearly seven of 10 respondents believe the new law will effectively improve access and financial protection for vulnerable populations, and 70 percent support policies that would guarantee access to care for undocumented immigrants. Preferred strategies for improving the quality of care delivered by safety-net providers include ensuring access to enabling services, facilitating the adoption and spread of patient-centered medical homes, and moving toward tightly integrated models of care delivery. Approximately 80 percent feel the health system is currently unsuccessful in achieving equity across the specific domains of access, quality, and outcomes for vulnerable populations.