Davidoff, M. J. , E. Ulrich, P. Carrizales, and L. A. Blewett. “Improving Health Care Access for Minnesota’s Growing Latino Community” in Just in Time Research: Resilient Communities. Report # BU-7565. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and University of Minnesota Extension Service.

MinnesotaCare has been a successful policy tool to increase access to health insurance for the uninsured, yet it is not as successful in meeting the unique needs of immigrant communities. This paper presents specific policy recommendations designed to increase access to health care for Latinos in Minnesota and describes the successful collaborative community-based research effort that was used to develop these recommendations.

Schultz, J., K. T. Call, R. Feldman, and J. Christianson. 2001. “Do Employees use Report Cards to Access Health Care Provider Systems?” Health Services Research 36 (3): 509-530.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate consumers' use of report cards that provide information on service quality and satisfaction at the provider group level. DATA SOURCES: In 1998 we conducted a telephone survey of randomly selected employees in firms aligned with the Buyers Health Care Action Group (BHCAG) in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market. STUDY DESIGN: Univariate probit models were used to determine report card utilization, perceived helpfulness of the report card, and ease of selecting a provider group. The characteristics used in the models included health status, age, gender, education, residency, job tenure, marital status, presence of dependent children, household income, and whether consumers changed provider groups. DATA COLLECTION: Our sample consists of survey responses from 996 single individuals (a response rate of 91 percent) and 913 families (a response rate of 96 percent). The survey was supplemented with data obtained directly from employers aligned with BHCAG. PRINCIPLE FINDINGS: Consumers who changed to a new provider group are more likely to use report card information and find it helpful, consumers employed in large firms are less likely to use the report card, and families who use information from their own health care experiences are less likely to find the report card helpful. In addition, individuals who changed to a new provider group are more likely to find the selection decision difficult. CONCLUSION: The findings show that health care consumers are using satisfaction and service-quality information provided by their employers.

Kelly, A., K. T. Call, B. Staub, B. Donald, C. L. Wisner, A. F. Nelson, and R. W. Blum. 2002. “Children with Complex Chronic Medical Conditions and Special Needs Privately Insured through an HMO.” Families, Systems, and Health 20 (3): 279-289.

Examines the managed care services provided to children with complex chronic medical conditions and special needs in the U.S. Perspectives of families on care and service delivery; Information on the cost for hospitalization; Roles of schools in providing and financing rehabilitation therapies for children with special needs.

Blewett, L. A., S. Smaida, C. Fuentes, and E. Ulrich. 2003. “Health Care Needs of the Growing Latino Population in Rural America: Focus Group Findings in One Midwestern State.” Journal of Rural Health 19 (1): 33-41.

Latinos represent nearly 13% of the U.S. population, surpassing African-Americans as the nation's largest racial/ethnic group. Many rural midwestern communities are seeing unprecedented growth in their Latino populations, creating new challenges and pressures for health and social service providers. This study is based on four focus groups conducted in three rural communities to examine concerns with health care services and access to care. Focus group analysis found several key barriers to health care access, including cost of health care services and frustration with the complexity of the U.S. health care system, as well as language and cultural issues that adversely affect patient-provider relationships. In addition, a number of impediments related to employer-sponsored health coverage were identified, including prohibitive premium costs as well as concerns about occupational injuries and access to care during work hours. The growth of the Latino population in the rural Midwest will require changes in existing health and social service systems to serve as a bridge to new systems in this country. We recommend several policy options including premium subsidies for low-wage jobs, community-based enrollment specialists for public programs, and continued research and data collection to monitor change and progress.

McAlpine, D. and K. T. Call. 2004. “Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Utilization of Preventive Services and Barriers to Care among Minnesota Health Care Program Enrollees.” MetroDoctors 6(6): 11.