Week 2: Healthcare Policy Analysis

Hi everyone! In this blog, I will be going over my project progression during Week 2 and some things to look forward to in Week 3.

Week 2: Healthcare Policy Analysis 

This week, I focused on refining my literature review and more actively shaping my argument, while continuing my work with Jewish Association Serving the Aging (JASA). Building on last week, I aimed to move beyond summarizing sources and instead connect them more directly to my research question about how elderly primary care patients in NYC perceive the affordability and stability of out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

A key part of my work was revising my literature review for clarity and flow. I worked on strengthening transitions between sources and identifying shared themes, such as financial uncertainty, insurance complexity, and how patients respond to out-of-pocket expenses. This helped me see my sources as part of a broader conversation rather than isolated studies, and made my argument more cohesive.

I also began incorporating insights from the book Healthcare and Policy, which provided useful background on the structure of the U.S. healthcare system. This allowed me to better explain why issues like high deductibles and copayments can be especially challenging for older adults, as most live paycheck to paycheck or are in retirement. While integrating this more technical, policy-focused perspective was initially difficult, it ultimately strengthened the depth of my analysis.

Alongside my research, I continued volunteering with JASA and spent more time interacting with residents. I met with the volunteer coordinator to finalize my research plan and internship, where I will be helping with the central office and meeting with seniors weekly. 

Overall, Week 2 marked a shift toward refining my ideas and developing a clearer, more focused argument.

Week 3 Plan

The week after Spring Break, I plan to refine my methods section by outlining participants, instruments, and my analysis plan. I will also finalize my interview questionnaires and consent materials to prepare for data collection.

Thank you for reading my Week 2 Blog!