Researchers relied on data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s 2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to determine any potential cost-savings from utilization of community health centers. After controlling for health status, income, age and other factors, researchers found patients who go to community health centers have lower medical and ambulatory expenditures by 24 and 25 percent, respectively.
The researchers concluded community health centers can help reduce resource utilization at other institutions while providing affordable and quality primary care to patients.
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