| Sumario: | The safety net is the delivery system that provides health care to lowincome and uninsured populations. Following the recent implementation of health care reform, hundreds of thousands of people in Los Angeles County gained or became eligible for health care coverage. The safety net nowhas the potential to remain a regular source of care for these newly covered patients who historically have been dependent on the safety net for their health care. Safety net providers may need to rethink current practices, operate more efficiently, document more consistently, and improve patient experience to keep and attract this newly insured population. Faced with an uncertain future, safety net clinics and hospitals will need to strategically plan for the coming years, with patient choice at the core of their decisions. Given the newly ensured Medicaid beneficiaries, the safety net will need to evolve and adapt to ensure its role in Los Angeles County.
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