[Volokh] David Hyman: The Doctor Shortage and Universal Coverage

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by David Hyman:
The Doctor Shortage and Universal Coverage 
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2009_04_26-2009_05_02.shtml#1240846919


   The [1]New York Times article referenced by[2] David, highlights an
   important point â expanding coverage is not the same same thing as
   broadening access to care. Coverage initiatives focus on the financing
   side of the market; access is a function of both the financing and
   delivery sides of the market -- and the shortage of primary care
   options can complicate efforts to broaden access by expanding coverage
   -- with [3]Massachusetts providing some recent evidence on the point.

   For those interested in more on these subjects, Iâve just posted a new
   paper on [4]âEmployment-Based Health Insurance and Universal Coverage:
   Four Things People Know that Arenât So.â

   The article systematically evaluates four myths of American health
   policy:
     * Employers pay for employment-based coverage;
     * There are 45.7 million uninsured Americans;
     * Universal coverage means everyone will have access to high quality
       care;
     * Universal coverage will solve the cost problems of American health
       care.

   The article is forthcoming in the Yale Journal of Health Policy, Law &
   Ethics.

References

   1. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/health/policy/27care.html?_r=1&hp
   2. http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2009_04_26-2009_05_02.shtml#1240839465
   3. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/05/us/05doctors.html?fta=y
   4. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1371965