More coverage doesn't necessarily translate into better patient care



Everyone believes that the purpose of a healthcare system is to get the right care on time to the most people, and everyone is right. Where common wisdom goes astray is the presumption that coverage equals care. Most people think that having health insurance guarantees getting healthcare, i.e.,

1. Those who have coverage will get care, and
2. those who don’t have coverage won’t get care.

Both statements are wrong.

Ever since EMTALA (Emergency Medical Transport and Labor Act) was passed in 1986, U.S. hospitals have cared for millions of sick Americans who have no insurance. Care is provided to those with no coverage at all.

Between Medicaid, Medicare, and other public programs, the federal government is by far the largest single U.S. insurer, covering 120 million Americans. Washington has given people the expectation of receiving care when and where they need it. But coverage does not lead to that happy result. In fact, as no-charge coverage has increased, care has gone down — the seesaw effect.

We need to understand that having insurance coverage is not the same thing as getting the medical care you need when you need it. Read More...

Dr. Deane Waldman

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