Community Health Workers: Part Of The Solution

Community health workers are recognized in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as important members of the health care workforce. The evidence shows that they can help improve health care access and outcomes; strengthen health care teams; and enhance quality of life for people in poor, un...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health Affairs 2010-07, Vol.29 (7), p.1338-1342
Main Authors: Rosenthal, E Lee, Brownstein, J Nell, Rush, Carl H, Hirsch, Gail R, Willaert, Anne M, Scott, Jacqueline R, Holderby, Lisa R, Fox, Durrell J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Childrens health insurance programs
Community health care
Cultural competence
Education
Enrollments
Health care
Health care access
Health care policy
Health insurance
Health planning
Legislatures
Massachusetts
Maternal & child health
Medicaid
Medical screening
Medical service
Minnesota
Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act 2010-US
Patient safety
Patients
Primary care
Public health
Quality of life
Regulation
Reimbursement
States
Studies
Supervision
Workers
Workforce
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Summary:Community health workers are recognized in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as important members of the health care workforce. The evidence shows that they can help improve health care access and outcomes; strengthen health care teams; and enhance quality of life for people in poor, underserved, and diverse communities. We trace how two states, Massachusetts and Minnesota, initiated comprehensive policies to foster far more utilization of community health workers and, in the case of Minnesota, to make their services reimbursable under Medicaid. We recommend that other states follow the lead of these states, further developing the workforce of community health workers, devising appropriate regulations and credentialing, and allowing the services of these workers to be reimbursed. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0278-2715
1544-5208
DOI:10.1377/hlthaff.2010.0081