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NYC Program Improves Access to Healthcare and Reduces ER Visits

Reducing Frictions in Health Care Access: The ActionHealthNYC Experiment for Undocumented Immigrants

In 2016, New York City initiated a program aimed at making it easier for undocumented immigrants to access healthcare. They did this by randomly scheduling primary care appointments for 2,428 individuals. A unique data combination of surveys and administrative records revealed that this program significantly improved people’s ability to see primary care doctors, resulting in a 23 percent reduction in emergency room visits. Among those at high risk, emergency room visits dropped by an even more significant 32 percent. Additionally, the program led to an increase in preventive care among those who visited the sponsored clinics.

Sabety, Adrienne, Jonathan Gruber, Jin Yung Bae, and Rishi Sood. 2023. “Reducing Frictions in Health Care Access: The ActionHealthNYC Experiment for Undocumented Immigrants.” American Economic Review: Insights, 5 (3): 327-46.

https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/aeri.20220126

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