Medicaid and other Public Programs Research

Researchers at the PPC evaluate programs such as the Iowa Medicaid managed care program, the Family Planning Waiver program and the IowaCare health care program. Since 1991 the evaluation of public programs has been a cornerstone of the PPC Health Research Program. The work we do provides data to answer questions regarding the relevance and effectiveness of each program, as well as other questions for those interested in understanding health care today.

A variety of methods are used for evaluating programs—from outcome analysis, to surveys, to focus groups—in an effort to attain the most comprehensive understanding possible. Though data on similar programs are available in other states, there is no substitute for relevant local evaluation in determining the immediate and long-term effects of a new program. Such monitoring allows researchers and policy makers alike to identify positive and negative aspects of the program in a timely manner.