UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1035

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Hyunji Christine Kim
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: She
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Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): hk22a@fsu.edu
Position Title: Graduate Student
Faculty Advisor Name: Keon-hyung Lee
Faculty Advisor's FSU Email: klee2@fsu.edu
FSU College (if applicable): Social Sciences and Public Policy
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Askew School of Public Administration and Policy
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Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Health Management; Medicaid and Medicare & Market competition &  Hospital financial sustainability
Project Keywords: Hospital management, Market competition, Medicaid, Medicare, Hospital financial sustainability
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 2
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Public health, Public policy, Public administration, Business, Other relevant social science

Project Location:: Zoom and email
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: No, the project is remote
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: Partially Remote
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 6 hours per week
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Overall Research Project Description:
This study examines whether hospitals can financially benefit from a greater reliance on public insurance programs, specifically Medicaid and Medicare, by analyzing how the relationship between the proportion of Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement and hospital financial sustainability varies under different structural conditions. The independent variable is the Medicaid/Medicare payer mix, measured as the percentage of total revenue or discharges from these public insurers, and the dependent variable is hospital financial sustainability, captured through metrics such as operating margin, net income, or days cash on hand. Two key contextual moderators are considered: market competition, assessed using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), and geographic location, categorized as urban or rural. The first hypothesis (H1) examines whether a higher Medicaid/Medicare payer mix is positively associated with hospital financial sustainability. Building on this, H2a proposes that this positive association is stronger in markets with lower competition, while H2b suggests the relationship is more favorable for hospitals located in rural areas. By testing these interactions through a moderated regression model, the study challenges the prevailing view that public payer reliance undermines financial health and instead argues that, under the right structural conditions, hospitals can strategically benefit from serving more publicly insured patients—providing important insights for health system leaders and policymakers seeking sustainable and equitable healthcare delivery models.

Research Tasks:
literature review, data collection, and sorting and organizing the literature

Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Basic idea about literature review and understanding of APA reference style required
No other specific skills required but punctuality and respect, if we can call these skills as well

Mentoring Philosophy:
Establishing a relationship rooted in mutual respect is the foundation of my mentoring approach, as it fosters trust, open communication, and a safe space for learning. I actively evaluate each mentee’s understanding and identify their strengths to guide their development with intention and clarity. Most of all, I emphasize learning and nurturing accountability and the importance of taking ownership of their work, encouraging them to meet responsibilities within given timelines, because I believe this is a very critical foundation for any occasion, whether study or work. Through interactive learning and consistent engagement, I create an environment where mentees are challenged, supported, and empowered to take responsibility for their progress.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: {Empty}
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Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: No
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
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UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes
Faculty Advisor Confirmation: Yes

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Year: 2025