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This Week in JAMA
JAMA. 2007;297:1031.
ACCESS TO CARE
A JAMA THEME ISSUE
Edited by Phil B. Fontanarosa, MD, MBA, and Drummond Rennie, MD
Financial Barriers and Outcomes After Acute MI
Rahimi and colleagues determined the prevalence of self-reported financial barriers to health care services or medications ("avoidance due to cost") among 2498 participants in a prospective observational study of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and examined the association of these barriers with subsequent health outcomes. The authors report that 18.1% of patients reported having had financial barriers to health care services and 12.9% reported having had financial barriers to medication, even though 68.9% and 68.5%, respectively, were insured. Compared with patients without financial barriers, patients with financial barriers had a worse recovery, including higher rates of angina, poorer quality of life, and a higher risk of rehospitalization.
(SEE ARTICLE)
Insurance, Care, and Status After a Health Shock
In an analysis of 1997-2004 data from a prospective, population-based survey, Hadley compared medical care use and short-term health changes among uninsured and insured nonelderly persons after a "health shock" (unintentional injury or onset of a chronic condition). After controlling for underlying medical conditions and baseline characteristics, the author found that uninsured persons who experienced a health shock received less medical care and had larger decreases in short-term health status than insured persons.
(SEE ARTICLE)
Emergency Medicaid Expenditures for Immigrants
Undocumented or legal immigrants with less than 5 years of residence in the United States are excluded from Medicaid eligibility, with the exception of limited, emergency coverage (Emergency Medicaid). DuBard and Massing examined 2001-2004 Emergency Medicaid claims data for North Carolina, a state with a recent influx of immigrants. Among their findings were that 48 391 patients (99% undocumented) received services reimbursed under Emergency Medicaid. Childbirth and complications of pregnancy were the most common diagnoses; however, spending for patients who are elderly and disabled increased 98% and 82%, respectively, from 2001-2004.
(SEE ARTICLE)
High-Deductible Health Insurance and ED Use
Wharam and colleagues (SEE ARTICLE) assessed emergency department (ED) visits and subsequent hospitalizations before and after an employer-mandated switch from a traditional HMO plan to a high-deductible health plan. The authors found that among patients who switched to the high-deductible plan, ED visits and hospitalizations from the ED decreased from baseline compared with control patients who remained in the traditional health maintenance organization. In an editorial, Grudzen and Brook (SEE ARTICLE) discuss issues to address before it can be concluded that efforts to control health care costs, such as high-deductible health plans, are safe.
Physicians Can Change the Future of Health Care
Starting with the premise that the purpose of the health care system is not to minimize costs, but rather to improve health and health care value for patients, Porter and Teisberg describe a strategy for health care reform that is market based and, importantly, physician led. Their proposal for reform emphasizes 3 principles: value for patients is the goal, care is organized around medical conditions (not specialties or procedures) and care cycles, and results—risk-adjusted outcomes and costs for each medical condition—are measured.
(SEE ARTICLE)
A Piece of My Mind
"She said that she could not afford chemotherapy, it would inconvenience her family to take her for therapy, and she did not want to leave her family with a large bill." From "What Makes a Difference."
(SEE ARTICLE)
Medical News & Perspectives
A shortage of physicians is looming in the United States, raising concerns about access to health care.
(SEE ARTICLE)
State-Federal Partnerships
State-based health care reform initiatives suggest potential federal solutions.
(SEE ARTICLE)
Universal Coverage
Components of an equitable and efficient universal health insurance plan.
(SEE ARTICLE)
Access to Health
Ensuring universal access to health through public health and social policies.
(SEE ARTICLE)
Access for Patients With Disabilities
Structural obstacles that compromise health care for patients with disabilities.
(SEE ARTICLE)
Access, Physicians, and Health Reform
Access to care and physicians' role in comprehensive health system reform.
(SEE ARTICLE)
JAMA Patient Page
For your patients: Information about health care insurance.
(SEE ARTICLE)
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