Research in Progress: Alyce S. Adams - Health Policy and the Fight for Equitable Healthcare Outcomes: Why Access Isn’t Enough

Alyce S. Adams, PhD 
Professor of Medicine, Stanford's Center for Health Policy & Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research
Professor of Epidemiology and Population Health in the Stanford School of Medicine 
Associate Director for Health Equity and Community Engagement in the Stanford Cancer Institute 

Title: Health Policy and the Fight for Equitable Healthcare Outcomes: Why Access Isn’t Enough

Abstract: Using evidence from evaluations of natural experiments, Alyce Adams will discuss the intended and unintended consequences of changes in prescription drug policy at the state and federal level of low income and minority individuals with multiple chronic conditions. We will explore the potential for policy effects to have an immediate and dramatic increase in access to clinically essential treatments. However, she will also discuss where such policies can widen, rather than reduce disparities in treatment. We concluded that increasing access (while critical) is not sufficient to address inequities in treatment use and outcomes among high risk populations. Importantly, new strategies are needed to inform the design of policy interventions that promote access, while simultaneously advancing health equity.