This project was an outgrowth of discussions held by CIR with elected policy makers and community service providers due to their need for data regarding lower and middle income individuals' health care needs. CIR collected data from 600 Medicare recipients in the Chicago metropolitan area to determine how Medicare recipients are faring with the current Medicare system. We examined recipients' ability to access and pay for needed services and medications, their decisions regarding whether or not to access medical services and under what circumstances, the ways that they receive their health care information, and what would improve their understanding and access to this information. CIR's report, "Medicare Reform: Widespread Confusion, Uncertain Benefits", was presented at the Make Medicare Work Summit, informing federal, state, and local policymakers and advocates about how best to provide health care information to the most vulnerable Medicare recipients.

For further information, contact Rebekah Levin at rlevin@impactresearch.org.

Project Publications

Medicare Reform: Widespread Confusion, Uncertain Benefits
February 2005
This report presents the data from CIR's 2004 survey of 600 Medicare recipients about their health care options, ability to access services, and choices about health care spending in the wake of Medicare reform. The findings of this report will assist policy makers and community-based organizations to advocate for programs that will best serve the needs of Medicare recipients.
Executive Summary
Full Report