Health Care Management Papers
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of this Version
12-2012
Publication Source
Journal of Public Economics
Volume
96
Issue
11-12
Start Page
909
Last Page
929
DOI
10.1016/j.jpubeco.2012.07.003
Abstract
In April 2006, Massachusetts passed legislation aimed at achieving near-universal health insurance coverage. The key features of this legislation were a model for national health reform, passed in March 2010. The reform gives us a novel opportunity to examine the impact of expansion to near-universal coverage state-wide. Among hospital discharges in Massachusetts, we find that the reform decreased uninsurance by 36% relative to its initial level and to other states. Reform affected utilization by decreasing length of stay, and the number of inpatient admissions originating from the emergency room. When we control for patient severity, we find evidence that preventable admissions decreased. At the same time, hospital cost growth did not increase.
Keywords
health, health care, health reform, insurance, hospitals, Massachusetts, preventive care
Recommended Citation
Kolstad, J. T., & Kowalski, A. E. (2012). The Impact of Health Care Reform on Hospital and Preventive Care: Evidence From Massachusetts. Journal of Public Economics, 96 (11-12), 909-929. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2012.07.003
Included in
Health Economics Commons, Health Services Research Commons, Insurance Commons, Other Public Health Commons
Date Posted: 27 November 2017
This document has been peer reviewed.