Authors

  1. Section Editor(s): Goldfield, Norbert I. MD
  2. Editor

Article Content

This issue of the journal focuses on the biggest health policy challenge for 2018-the future of the Medicaid program. Implemented 50 years ago, it is the most important health insurance program for not only the poor but also the working poor. Billy Millwee, a former Texas Medicaid Commissioner, Kevin Quinn, and I highlight potential paths forward for this literally lifesaving insurance program. We then offer several commentaries from a variety of experts-policy makers, researchers, and practitioners in the private sector-Richard Bernstein, Joseph Restuccia together with Michael Schwartz, Patrick Roohan, Sara Rosenbaum, and Gail Wilensky.

 

The other articles in this issue provide applied underpinnings for many of the issues brought up in the special section on the future of the Medicaid program. Ms da Graca and colleagues analyze in detail the breakeven costs of the patient-centered medical home program. In a preliminary, in terms of sample size, but important article, Finnegan and coauthors address aspects of integrating issues pertaining to severe mental illness into primary care. David Barbara and colleagues analyze surgical cancellations, an issue that I confront as a primary care physician tasked with performing preoperative clearance. Chang, Chokshi, and Ladapo next analyze issues pertaining to coordination of care, particularly as it pertains to urgent care centers. The Journal of Ambulatory Care Management prides itself on a commitment to publishing timely articles pertaining to community health workers. Siemon, Kreglo, and Boursaw compare 2 approaches to certification of community health workers. Chien and colleagues take a broader perspective and analyze the transition from traditional clinical practice to team-based care.

 

-Norbert I. Goldfield, MD

 

Editor