Project Title/Research Interests: The effects of three insurance benefit design features on specialty mental health utilization and expenditures    

Background:
As a PhD student in Health Policy and Management, I will expand my ability to conduct rigorous health services research and seek out impactful applications of these skills. In addition to developing a strong quantitative and research design foundation on which I can draw throughout my career, I hope to develop policy expertise and build strong mentor relationships with advising faculty. I intend to continue my work investigating how women Veterans use VA health services for primary care, mental health care, and gender specific care. Other areas of interest include how health care organizations respond to economic incentives and how California is implementing ACA and other reform initiatives.  In my career, I hope to have opportunities to inform policy and practice through research.