Leighton Ku

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Bio

As a health policy researcher, a public policy analyst, and an advocate, Dr. Ku's career has been built around the effort to understand and improve access to affordable health care for vulnerable populations. Among his areas of expertise are Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), immigrant health, state health reform, and health care financing and budgets, with an emphasis on strengthening the health care safety net. "I am interested in applying the lessons of research to policies and programs at the federal and state levels, and working with governmental officials, community groups and advocacy organizations to do it," he says.

Professor Ku joined GWSPH as a full-time faculty member in 2008, but he has held adjunct positions at GW's School of Public Policy and Public Administration since the early 1990s. During that time, he also served as a senior fellow at the Washington-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which focuses on improving policies for low- and moderate-income Americans; as principal researcher at the Urban Institute; and as a policy and budget analyst for the federal Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program.

Expertise

Expertise:

Access to Health Care

Health Insurance

Health Reform

Medicaid and SCHIP

Prevention

Safety Net Providers

Education:

Bachelor of Arts (Biochemistry), Harvard College, 1975

Master of Science (Nutritional sciences), University of California, Berkeley, 1979

Master of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, 1979

Doctor of Philosophy (Health policy), Boston University, 1990

Teaching:

PPOL 6022: Advanced Research Methods in Public Policy, School of Public Policy and Public Administration

PPOL 6013: Research Methods in Public Policy, School of Public Policy and Public Administration

PubH 6310: Statistical Analysis is Health Policy

PubH 6015.16: Health Policy Capstone (Culminating Experience)

PubH 8418: Doctoral Research Methods 2

Institutes and Centers:

Center for Health Policy Research

Research

Research:

Professor Ku is the author, or co-author, of more than 200 articles and reports about health policy and public health focused on health care access and insurance coverage for low-income and vulnerable populations. Ku also directs the Center for Health Policy Research, a multidisciplinary research center which conducts health policy related research for numerous federal and state agencies, the National Institutes of Health, foundations and other organizations.

Publications

Publications:

Medicaid Tobacco Cessation: Big Gaps Remain In Efforts To Get Smokers To Quit
Ku, L. Bruen, B., Steinmetz, E. Bysshe, T. “Medicaid Tobacco Cessation: Big Gaps Remain In Efforts To Get Smokers To Quit,” forthcoming, Health Affairs, Jan. 2016.
Opting Out of Medicaid Expansion: Impact on Encounters With Behavioral Health Specialty Staff in Community Health Centers
Jones, E., Zur, J., Rosenbaum, S., Ku, L. “Opting Out of Medicaid Expansion: Impact on Encounters With Behavioral Health Specialty Staff in Community Health Centers.” Psychiatr Serv. Aug 17, 2015.
Sharing a Playbook: Integrated Care In Community Health Centers
Jones, E., Ku, L. “Sharing a Playbook: Integrated Care In Community Health Centers,” American Journal of Public Health. 105(1). 2028-2034, October 2015, doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302710.
Projecting the Unmet Need and Costs for Contraception Services after Health Care Reform
August, E., Steinmetz, E., Gavin, L., Rivera, M., Pazol, K., Moskosky, S., Weik, T., and Ku, L. “Projecting the Unmet Need and Costs for Contraception Services after Health Care Reform,” forthcoming, American Journal of Public Health.
Community Health Centers Use Diverse Staffing and Can Provide Lessons for Other Medical Practices
Ku, L., Frogner, B., Steinmetz, E., Pittman, P. “Community Health Centers Use Diverse Staffing and Can Provide Lessons for Other Medical Practices”, Health Affairs 34(1):95-103, Jan. 2015.
No Evidence That Primary Care Physicians Offer Less Care To Medicaid, Community Health Center Or Uninsured Patients
Bruen, B., Ku, L., Lu, X. and Shin, P. “No Evidence That Primary Care Physicians Offer Less Care To Medicaid, Community Health Center Or Uninsured Patients,” Health Affairs, 32(9): 1624-30, Sept. 2013.
Continuous Eligibility Policies Stabilize Medicaid Coverage for Children and Could Be Extended to Adults with Similar Results
Ku, L., Steinmetz, E., Bruen, B. “Continuous Eligibility Policies Stabilize Medicaid Coverage for Children and Could Be Extended to Adults with Similar Results,” Health Affairs, 32(9): 1576-82, Sept. 2013.
Increased Use of Dental Services by Children Covered by Medicaid: 2000-2010
Ku, L., Sharac, J., Bruen, B., Thomas, M. and Norris, L. “Increased Use of Dental Services by Children Covered by Medicaid: 2000-2010” Medicare and Medicaid Research Review 3(3): E1-E12. July 2013.
Health Care Reform and Women’s Insurance Coverage for Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
Levy, A., Bruen, B. and Ku, L. “Health Care Reform and Women’s Insurance Coverage for Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening” Preventing Chronic Disease. 9: 120069. Oct. 25, 2012.
Continuity of Medicaid Coverage in an Era of Transition
Ku, L., Steinmetz, E, Bysshe, T. “Continuity of Medicaid Coverage in an Era of Transition,” Nov. 1, 2015, Washington, DC: Association of Community Affiliated Plans.
Teaching Health Centers: A Promising Approach for Building Primary Care Workforce for the 21st Century
Ku, L., Mullan, F., Serrano, C., Barber, Z., Shin, P. “Teaching Health Centers: A Promising Approach for Building Primary Care Workforce for the 21st Century.” Geiger Gibson / RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative Policy Research Brief # 40, March 10, 2015.
The Economic and Employment Costs of Not Expanding Medicaid in North Carolina: A County-Level Analysis
Ku, L., Bruen, B., Steinmetz, E., Bysshe, T. "The Economic and Employment Costs of Not Expanding Medicaid in North Carolina: A County-Level Analysis." Dec. 2014. Cone Health Foundation and Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.
How Medicaid Expansions and Future Community Health Center Funding Will Shape Capacity to Meet the Nation’s Primary Care Needs
Ku, L. Zur, J. Jones, E., Shin, P.Rosenbaum, S. “How Medicaid Expansions and Future Community Health Center Funding Will Shape Capacity to Meet the Nation’s Primary Care Needs” Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative Policy Research Brief # 34, Nov. 18. 2013.
Providing outreach and enrollment assistance: lessons learned from community health centers in Massachusetts
Paradise J, Rosenbaum S, Shin P, Sharac J, Alvarez C, Zur J, Ku L. "Providing outreach and enrollment assistance: lessons learned from community health centers in Massachusetts." The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. September 24, 2013.
Poor Immigrants Use Public Benefits At a Lower Rate than Poor Native-Born Citizens
Ku, L. and Bruen, B. “Poor Immigrants Use Public Benefits At a Lower Rate than Poor Native-Born Citizens.” Economic Development Bulletin No. 17, Washington, DC: Cato Institute. March 4, 2013.
Coordinating and Integrating Care for Safety Net Patients: Lessons from Six Communities
Ku, L., Regenstein, M., Shin, P., Mead, H., Levy, A., Buchanan, K., Byrne, F. "Coordinating and Integrating Care for Safety Net Patients: Lessons from Six Communities." May 21, 2012.
Impact of the 2008-2010 Economic Recession on Local Health Departments
Willard, R., Shah, G., Leep, C., Ku, L. "Impact of the 2008-2010 Economic Recession on Local Health Departments." Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, Issue No. 2. Vol. 18 106-114. Mar 2012. (External Access)
Examining the Evidentiary Basis of Congress's Commerce Clause Power to Address Individuals' Health Insurance Status
Rosenbaum, S., Ku, L., Lantz, P., Mead, H., McDowell, M. "Examining the Evidentiary Basis of Congress's Commerce Clause Power to Address Individuals' Health Insurance Status." BNA Health Care Policy Report, Bloomberg BNA, Feb 6, 2012.
Quality Incentives for Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics and Free Clinics: A Report To Congress
Ku, L., Cunningham, M., Goldberg, D., Darnell, J., Hiller, M. "Quality Incentives for Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics and Free Clinics: A Report To Congress." prepared for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Jan 23, 2012. (External Access)
Saving Money: The Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation Medicaid Benefit
Ku, L., Zauche, D., Forbes, E. "Saving Money: The Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation Medicaid Benefit." Partnership for Prevention, Jan 7, 2012.
The Return on Investment of a Medicaid Tobacco Cessation Program in Massachusetts
Richard, P., West, K., Ku, L. "The Return on Investment of a Medicaid Tobacco Cessation Program in Massachusetts." PloS One, Jan 6, 2012. (External Access)
Cost Savings Associated With the Use of Community Health Centers
Richard, P., Ku, L., Dor, A., Tan, E., Shin, P., Rosenbaum, S. "Cost Savings Associated With the Use of Community Health Centers." The Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, Issue No. 1. Vol. 35 50-59. 2012. (External Access)
Options for CDC s Cancer Screening Programs: Implications of the Affordable Care Act
Ku, L., Levy, A., Lantz, P., Pierre-Matthieu, R. "Options for CDC s Cancer Screening Programs: Implications of the Affordable Care Act." Department of Health Policy, Nov 15, 2011.
Promoting the Integration and Coordination of Safety-Net Health Care Providers Under Health Reform: Key Issues
Ku, L., Shin, P., Regenstein, M., Mead, H. "Promoting the Integration and Coordination of Safety-Net Health Care Providers Under Health Reform: Key Issues." The Commonwealth Fund, Oct 13, 2011. (External Access)
Transforming Community Health Centers Into Patient-Centered Medical Homes: The Role of Payment Reform
Ku, L., Shin, P., Jones, E., Bruen, B. "Transforming Community Health Centers Into Patient-Centered Medical Homes: The Role of Payment Reform." The Commonwealth Fund, Sep 28, 2011. (External Access)
Publish or Perish: An Overview of Publishing for Peer-Reviewed Journals in Health Policy
Ku, L. "Publish or Perish: An Overview of Publishing for Peer-Reviewed Journals in Health Policy." DHP Brown Bag Lunch Seminar, Aug 25, 2011.
Safety Net Providers after Health Reform: Lessons from Massachusetts
Ku, L. "Safety Net Providers after Health Reform: Lessons from Massachusetts." DHP Brown Bag Lunch Seminar, Aug 25, 2011.
Safety-Net Providers After Health Care Reform: Lessons from Massachusetts
Ku, L., Jones, E., Shin, P., Byrne, F., Long, S. "Safety-Net Providers After Health Care Reform: Lessons from Massachusetts." Archives of Internal Medicine, Issue No. 15. Vol. 171 1379-84. JAMA, Aug 8, 2011. (External Access)
The Promise and Potential of Federal Incentives for Electronic Health Records
Bruen, B., Ku, L., Burke, M., Buntin, M. "The Promise and Potential of Federal Incentives for Electronic Health Records." DHP Brown Bag Lunch Seminar, Apr 28, 2011.
Medicaid in the Bull's Eye
Ku, L. "Medicaid in the Bull's Eye." Health Affairs Blog, Project Hope, Apr 15, 2011. (External Access)
More Than Four In Five Office-Based Physicians Could Qualify For Federal Electronic Health Record Incentives
Bruen, B., Ku, L., Burke, M., Buntin, M. "More Than Four In Five Office-Based Physicians Could Qualify For Federal Electronic Health Record Incentives." Health Affairs, Issue No. 480. Vol. 30 (3) : 472. Project Hope, Mar 2011. (External Access)
Who Are the Health Center Patients Who Risk Losing Care Under the House of Representatives Proposed FY 2011 Spending Reductions?
Rosenbaum, S., Shin, P., Ku, L. "Who Are the Health Center Patients Who Risk Losing Care Under the House of Representatives Proposed FY 2011 Spending Reductions?." Issue No. 20. Feb 24, 2011.
The States' Next Challenge--Securing Primary Care for Expanded Medicaid Populations
Ku, L., Jones, K., Shin, P., Bruen, B., Hayes, K. "The States' Next Challenge--Securing Primary Care for Expanded Medicaid Populations." The New England Journal of Medicine, Issue No. 1056. Vol. 10 Jan 26, 2011. (External Access)
Strengthening Primary Care to Bend the Cost Curve: The Expansion of Community Health Centers Through Health Reform
Ku, L., Richard, P., Dor, A., Tan, E., Shin, P., Rosenbaum, S. "Strengthening Primary Care to Bend the Cost Curve: The Expansion of Community Health Centers Through Health Reform." Issue No. 19. Jun 30, 2010.
Ready, Set, Plan, Implement: Executing The Expansion Of Medicaid
Ku, L. "Ready, Set, Plan, Implement: Executing The Expansion Of Medicaid." Health Affairs, Issue No. 6. Vol. 29 1173-1177. Jun 2010. (External Access)
Can Health Care Investments Stimulate the Economy?
Ku, L., Shin, P., Bruen, B. "Can Health Care Investments Stimulate the Economy?." Health Affairs blog, Mar 16, 2010. (External Access)
The Economic Stimulus: Gauging the Early Effects of ARRA Funding on Health Centers and Medically Underserved Populations and Communities
Shin, P., Bruen, B., Jones, E., Ku, L., Rosenbaum, S. "The Economic Stimulus: Gauging the Early Effects of ARRA Funding on Health Centers and Medically Underserved Populations and Communities." Issue No. 17. GG/RCHN CHF Policy Research Brief No. 17, Feb 16, 2010.
Documenting Citizenship in Medicaid: The Struggle between Ideology and Evidence
Ku, L., Pervez, F. "Documenting Citizenship in Medicaid: The Struggle between Ideology and Evidence." Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, Issue No. 1. Vol. 35 5-28. Jan 2010. (External Access)
Using Primary Care to Bend the Cost Curve: The Potential Impact of Health Center Expansion in Senate Reforms
Ku, L., Rosenbaum, S., Shin, P. "Using Primary Care to Bend the Cost Curve: The Potential Impact of Health Center Expansion in Senate Reforms." Issue No. 16. Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, Oct 14, 2009.
Estimating the Economic Gains for States as a Result of Medicaid Coverage Expansions for Adults
Shin, P., Ku, L., Mauery, D., Finnegan, B., Rosenbaum, S. "Estimating the Economic Gains for States as a Result of Medicaid Coverage Expansions for Adults." Issue No. 15. Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, Oct 7, 2009.
Using Primary Care to Bend the Curve: Estimating the Impact of a Health Center Expansion on Health Care Costs
Ku, L., Richard, P., Dor, A., Tan, E., Shin, P., Rosenbaum, S. "Using Primary Care to Bend the Curve: Estimating the Impact of a Health Center Expansion on Health Care Costs." Issue No. 14. Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, Sep 1, 2009.
Do Medicaid and CHIP Measure Errors Correctly?
Ku, L. "Do Medicaid and CHIP Measure Errors Correctly?." Aug 4, 2009.
Estimating the Effects of Health Reform on Health Centers Capacity to Expand to New Medically Underserved Communities and Populations
Ku, L., Shin, P., Rosenbaum, S. "Estimating the Effects of Health Reform on Health Centers Capacity to Expand to New Medically Underserved Communities and Populations." Issue No. 11. Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, Washington, DC. Jul 23, 2009.
National Health Reform: How Will Medically Underserved Communities Fare?
Rosenbaum, S., Jones, E., Shin, P., Ku, L. "National Health Reform: How Will Medically Underserved Communities Fare?." Issue No. 10. Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, Washington, DC. Jul 10, 2009.
Boosting Health Information Technology in Medicaid: The Potential Effect of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Finnegan, B., Ku, L., Shin, P., Rosenbaum, S. "Boosting Health Information Technology in Medicaid: The Potential Effect of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act." Issue No. 9. Geiger Gibson / RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, Washington, DC. Jul 7, 2009.
Health-Insurance Coverage and Medical Expenditures for Immigrants and Native-Born Citizens in the United States
Ku, L. "Health-Insurance Coverage and Medical Expenditures for Immigrants and Native-Born Citizens in the United States." American Journal of Public Health, Vol. 99 (7) : 1322-28. Jul 2009. (External Access)
Improving Medicaid's Continuity of Coverage and Quality of Care
Ku, L., MacTaggart, P., Pervez, F., Rosenbaum, S. "Improving Medicaid's Continuity of Coverage and Quality of Care." Jul 2009.
Financing Community Health Centers as Patient- and Community-Centered Medical Homes: A Primer
Shin, P., Ku, L., Jones, E., Finnegan, B., Rosenbaum, S. "Financing Community Health Centers as Patient- and Community-Centered Medical Homes: A Primer." The Commonwealth Fund, The George Washington University Department of Health Policy Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy, Washington, DC. May 27, 2009.
How is the Primary Care Safety Net Faring in Massachusetts? Community Health Centers in the Midst of Health Reform
Ku, L., Jones, E., Finnegan, B., Shin, P., Rosenbaum, S. "How is the Primary Care Safety Net Faring in Massachusetts? Community Health Centers in the Midst of Health Reform." Kaiser Family Foundation Geiger & Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, Mar 2009.
Restoring Medicaid and SCHIP Coverage to Legal immigrant Children and Pregnant Women: Implications for Community Health and Health Care for Tomorrow s Citizens
Ku, L. "Restoring Medicaid and SCHIP Coverage to Legal immigrant Children and Pregnant Women: Implications for Community Health and Health Care for Tomorrow s Citizens." Issue No. 7. Geiger Gibson / RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, Jan 2009.
Designation of Medically Underserved and Health Professional Shortage Areas: Analysis of the Public Comments on the Withdrawn Proposed Regulation
Jones, E., Ku, L., Lippi, J., Whittington, R., Rosenbaum, S. "Designation of Medically Underserved and Health Professional Shortage Areas: Analysis of the Public Comments on the Withdrawn Proposed Regulation." Issue No. 5. Geiger Gibson Program/ RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, Sep 2008.
Public and Private Health Insurance: Stacking Up the Costs
Ku, L., Broaddus, M. "Public and Private Health Insurance: Stacking Up the Costs." Health Affairs, Issue No. 4. Vol. 27 w318-w327. Jun 24, 2008.
Grantee-Level Estimates Show that 31 Percent of All Health Centers would Fail to Meet Tier Two Status under HRSA s Proposed MUA/MUP/HPSA Designation Regulations
Shin, P., Ku, L., Jones, E., Rosenbaum, S. "Grantee-Level Estimates Show that 31 Percent of All Health Centers would Fail to Meet Tier Two Status under HRSA s Proposed MUA/MUP/HPSA Designation Regulations." Issue No. 3. Geiger Gibson Program/ RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, May 2008.
Analysis of the Proposed Rule on Designation of Medically Underserved Populations and Health Professional Shortage Areas
Shin, P., Ku, L., Jones, E., Rosenbaum, S. "Analysis of the Proposed Rule on Designation of Medically Underserved Populations and Health Professional Shortage Areas." Issue No. 2. Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, Apr 2008.
Highlights: Analysis of the Proposed Rule on Designation of Medically Underserved Populations and Health Professional Shortage Areas
Shin, P., Ku, L., Jones, E., Rosenbaum, S. "Highlights: Analysis of the Proposed Rule on Designation of Medically Underserved Populations and Health Professional Shortage Areas." GW Department of Health Policy; Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative, Washington, DC. Apr 2008.
Language Barriers to Health Care Access Among Medicare Beneficiaries.
Ponce, N., Ku, L., Cunningham, W., Brown, R. "Language Barriers to Health Care Access Among Medicare Beneficiaries.." Inquiry, Issue No. 1. Vol. 3 66-76. Inquiry Journal & Excellus Health Plan, Inc., Mar 2006. (External Access)

Leighton

Ku, PhD, MPH

Professor and Director of the Center for Health Policy Research

Leighton Ku

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