Coverage without access

I have written recently that universal coverage without physician access isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. Don’t believe me? Take a look at what’s happening with the Medicaid population:

Sure, Medicaid provides patients with a “card” entitling them to care. But Medicaid also creates financial disincentives for physicians to provide the care. New York pays doctors $17 per ED visit for Medicaid patients? Our 14-year-old babysitter makes more than that! Then Medicaid leaves it up to the patients to fend for themselves.

Prev
Next