The Commonwealth Fund has released a survey of expert opinions regarding vulnerable populations in the U.S. health care system.  Nearly 70 percent of survey respondents reported believing the national health care reform law will improve health care access for vulnerable populations.  The authors also found that nearly 80 percent of respondents believed that the system is currently unsuccessful in providing equal health care access, quality, and outcomes for vulnerable populations.

From the report:

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.

Full report: The Commonwealth Fund/Modern Healthcare Health Care Opinion Leaders Survey: Views Vulnerable Populations (PDF | 743.10 KB)

Commonwealth Fund.  (2011).  The Commonwealth Fund/Modern Healthcare health care opinion leaders survey: views vulnerable poplations.  Stremikis, K., Berenson, J., Shih, A. and Riley, P.