Information and Incentives: Improving the Health of New York City’s Low-Income Population

This National Health Policy Forum report presents findings from an April 2010 site visit to New York City (NYC) that examined health care delivery for Medicaid beneficiaries and the uninsured in New York City’s hospital-dominated market.

Site visit participants met with heath care experts to explore a range of topics, including the use of health information technology to improve care delivery and outcomes, community-oriented care and cultural competence, payment incentives and funding, and the effect of health reform legislation on care delivery for safety net providers and the patients they serve.

Site visit participants also heard from providers and others who discussed efforts to improve the quality of care for low-income New Yorkers through a variety of methods, such as the adoption and use of electronic health records to improve clinical practice and patient experience; provider initiatives to identify and change aspects of care delivery to improve health outcomes; and programs to build healthy communities and improve population health. The report provides background on the New York City market and summarizes participants’ impressions.