A model research design to determine whether public programs providing health care for the poor and uninsured are successful.

The Mississippi State Department of Health has developed an empirically-proven two stage methodology of evaluation appropriate for agencies serving individuals that are poor and/or uninsured that utilizes qualitative data drawn from surveys and interviews to formulate a plan of action to collect relevant objective data. Findings are reported as being either supported, non-supported, or fallacious, and are accompanied by recommendations for intervention when appropriate. After comments on these have been assembled and disseminated, the program is required to submit a plan of action addressing all recommendations in the report.