Lan Zhao, PhD

Completed Projects - (1)

Declining Access to Hospital-based Obstetric Services in Rural Areas: Causes and Impact
This study examines the declining availability of hospital-based obstetric services in rural areas from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s. It examines potential causes for this trend and explores the effects of medical malpractice reforms.
Research center: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Legislation and regulation, Maternal health, Women

Why Are Fewer Hospitals in the Delivery Business?
NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Date: 04/2007
This study examines the declining availability of hospital-based obstetric services in rural areas from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s. It looks at potential causes for this trend and explores the effects of medical malpractice reforms.

Revisions to Medicare's Disproportionate Share Payment Policy to Incorporate Bad Debt and Charity Care
NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Date: 09/2005
This report investigates the impact of possible changes to the Medicare disproportionate share payment policy, designed to incorporate information on the hospital's uncompensated care burden as well as to improve the payment formulae.

Achieving Equity in Medicare Disproportionate Share Payments to Rural Hospitals: An Assessment of the Financial Impact of Recent and Proposed Changes to the Disproportionate Share Hospital Payment Formula
Journal Article
NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Date: 09/2002
Examines how Benefits Improvement and Protection Act revisions to the Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program are likely to affect rural hospital financial performance. The study shows that paying rural hospitals based on the rules used for urban hospitals could improve access to care in rural communities.