Bill Overview
Title: Maximizing Outcomes through Better Investments in Lifesaving Equipment for (MOBILE) Health Care Act
Description: This bill allows a health center that currently receives funding through a Health Resources & Services Administration Health Center Program grant to use a New Access Point grant to set up a mobile unit regardless of whether the health center also establishes a permanent health care delivery site. New Access Point grants help health centers establish new delivery sites to provide comprehensive primary care to medically underserved populations. Under current law, health centers may only use the grants to set up a mobile unit if they also establish a permanent site.
Sponsors: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Target Audience
Population: Medically underserved populations who need healthcare services
Estimated Size: 30000000
- The bill pertains to health centers that receive grants from the Health Resources & Services Administration Health Center Program, which provide services to medically underserved populations.
- The primary beneficiaries will be individuals in medically underserved areas, who may currently lack access to comprehensive primary care.
- By allowing grants to be used solely for mobile units, the bill potentially increases flexibility and access to healthcare for those in remote, rural, or otherwise underserved regions.
- Based on the 2022 report from the National Association of Community Health Centers, health centers served over 31 million patients in the U.S. alone.
Reasoning
- The primary impact of the policy will be seen in medically underserved populations, which are generally more prevalent in rural and economically disadvantaged urban areas.
- Most individuals in these areas face significant barriers to healthcare such as travel distance, lack of transportation, or financial constraints, which mobile health units can help alleviate.
- The policy provides flexibility in establishing healthcare delivery points, aiming to cater to populations that might not support permanent health infrastructure.
- It is assumed that not all regions will benefit equally; urban populations already have relatively better access to medical facilities compared to rural areas.
- Differences in impact are considered based on location, current access to healthcare, and socio-economic status.
- A wide array of demographic profiles, including children, elderly, working adults, and different genders, are included to reflect commonness in the underserved population.
Simulated Interviews
retired (rural Kentucky)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Healthcare access is a big issue for me here.
- A mobile unit would save a lot of trouble compared to visiting a clinic far away.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
low-wage worker (urban Detroit)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having a clinic on wheels would be a game-changer as I can’t afford clinic bills.
- This policy will put health services within my salary reach.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
rancher (rural Montana)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The cost of traveling to a town clinic is too high.
- Mobile services would definitely ease my financial burden for checkups or medicine.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
unemployed (suburban Texas)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to affordable care is a huge issue; student debt makes it harder.
- Mobile units would make it easier to see a doctor when needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 2 |
taxi driver (urban New York)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Healthcare access isn't a big issue for me; it is more about time.
- Mobile units might not add much value where I live.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
retired nurse (rural Mississippi)
Age: 73 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Y'all, having a unit come to us would make a world difference.
- It's hard moving around for healthcare here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 1 |
farmer (rural Iowa)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A mobile unit would help immensely when we're buried under work.
- It'd save trips to the city for basic tests and checkups.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 3 |
graphic designer (urban Los Angeles)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mobile units won't change much in places where we already have extensive services.
- I see it helping more in rural areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
student (rural Oklahoma)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to healthcare is really hard for my family; we rely on occasional community clinics.
- A mobile unit would make us feel looked after.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
small business owner (urban Chicago)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't think it'll change much in big cities like ours.
- There's already decent healthcare access and options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Year 2: $45000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $55000000)
Year 3: $50000000 (Low: $37500000, High: $60000000)
Year 5: $55000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $65000000)
Year 10: $60000000 (Low: $42500000, High: $70000000)
Year 100: $75000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $85000000)
Key Considerations
- There’s a potential increase in demand for mobile healthcare units, implying the need for strategic placements based on community needs.
- Coordination with existing healthcare infrastructure will be crucial to maximize the effectiveness of mobile units.
- Initial costs for setting up mobile units could be significant, although they are potentially lower than establishing permanent healthcare facilities.
- The bill’s long-term impact depends on effective implementation and ongoing funding.