By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Conservatives: The Utah Health Exchange is Not a Model
    July 23, 2011
    Medical Malpractice Reform Losing Physician Support
    November 7, 2011
    Hospitals Aim to Apply Direct Payments of Care Delivery to Increase Resources
    August 28, 2012
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Worries Over Expanding Health Coverage May Be Unfounded
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Worries Over Expanding Health Coverage May Be Unfounded
Policy & Law

Worries Over Expanding Health Coverage May Be Unfounded

Brad Wright
Last updated: February 22, 2012 9:48 am
Brad Wright
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Opposition to health reform tends to come from those who are happy with the way things are and worried that change represents nothing more than the risk of losing what they already have. That’s precisely why the opposition rhetoric focused on “death panels” and “rationing” of care. Stories were told of how our health care system would become like the Canadian system where people die waiting in line for care. Such stories are vastly overblown, I assure you, having spoken with a fair number of Canadians who love their system and who, having come to the U.S.

Opposition to health reform tends to come from those who are happy with the way things are and worried that change represents nothing more than the risk of losing what they already have. That’s precisely why the opposition rhetoric focused on “death panels” and “rationing” of care. Stories were told of how our health care system would become like the Canadian system where people die waiting in line for care. Such stories are vastly overblown, I assure you, having spoken with a fair number of Canadians who love their system and who, having come to the U.S. for one reason or another, are appalled at the convoluted way our system works.

But for those who fear that expanding health insurance coverage means long lines and wait-lists, Chapin White of the Center for Studying Health Systems Change has good news: Expanding coverage doesn’t necessarily mean that overall health care utilization increases. Instead, that depends on how much physicians are reimbursed. Pay doctors more and, it seems, we visit them more often (rather, they are willing to see us more often).

The Affordable Care Act expands coverage, but it doesn’t dramatically increase physician reimbursement rates. Ergo, we’re not likely to see large increases in physician utilization, and that means we won’t likely see a lot of rationing or wait-listing. Sadly, it means that many of the newly insured will have a hard time finding someone to care for them. Medicaid doesn’t pay doctors well. It never has. So, a lot of doctors don’t accept Medicaid patients. Giving low-income uninsured persons Medicaid coverage may shield them from high out-of-pocket expenses, but it doesn’t mean they will be able to go to any doctor they choose. So, the rationing that exists will be the rationing that largely remains from the stratified system we have had for decades, where those with private coverage get more than they need, while those with public coverage often fail to get enough. That is not new rationing. It is the status quo.

More Read

Breaking Through The Stigma Of Addiction: Why It’s Okay To Ask For Help
Waiting for HIPAA Clarity? Who Has Time?
The Future of Medical Education: Very Real Simulation of Procedures and Teamwork
What is the Process of Creating Medicine from Nature?
NFL Commissioner Agrees To ’60 Minutes’ Interview About Concussions

 

    


TAGGED:health insurancehealth reform
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

Is Pharma “Educating” U.S. Patients in the Wrong Way?

November 25, 2015
Hospital Mortality Rates
BusinessFinanceHealth ReformPolicy & LawPublic Health

Preventable Mortality Down in Hospitals by 17%

December 16, 2014

What’s In Your Energy Drink?: Infographic

April 28, 2012
Medical Ethics

It’s All the Doctors’ Fault

September 14, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?