State Variation in Primary Care Physician Supply: Implications for Health Reform Medicaid Expansions

Examines regional and state variations in primary care supply, physicians' acceptance of new patients, and capacity to meet increased demand from Medicaid's expansion. Considers policy implications, including reimbursement and scope-of-practice issues

Chronic Burdens: The Persistently High Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenses Faced by Many Americans With Chronic Conditions

Outlines trends in the long-term financial burden insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs pose on patients with chronic illnesses. Analyzes data by number of conditions, income, and percentage of income spent and examines the composition of expenses

Who Are the Uninsured Eligible for Premium Subsidies in the Health Insurance Exchanges?

Outlines characteristics of the uninsured who will be eligible for subsidies in insurance exchanges in 2014, including health, access to care, age, income, and attitudes about insurance. Explores policy implications for enrollment and adverse selection

Do Reductions in Medicaid/SCHIP Enrollment Increase Emergency Department Use Among Low-Income Persons?

Outlines estimates of the impact on emergency department visits by the uninsured and the overall low-income population if Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program enrollment and physicians' acceptance rates of Medicaid patients were to fall

Medical Bill Problems Steady for U.S. Families, 2007-2010

Examines changes in the proportion of people in families having difficulty paying medical bills during the recession by age group, insurance status, income, amount owed, amount paid off, and estimated time to pay off bills. Considers contributing factors

How Engaged Are Consumers in Their Health and Health Care, and Why Does It Matter?

Summarizes findings on U.S. patients' ability to manage their health and health care by income level, education, Medicaid status, and health status. Examines access to care by level of engagement among the chronically ill. Discusses policy implications

A Growing Hole in the Safety Net: Physician Charity Care Declines Again

Examines reasons for the decline in the number of physicians providing free or reduced cost health care in proportion to the number of uninsured Americans, in the last decade. Includes implications related to the decline in access to medical care

Falling Behind: Americans' Access to Medical Care Deteriorates, 2003-2007

Presents survey results on access to medical care for the insured and the uninsured, the healthy and the ill, and for children in wealthy and poor families. Discusses causes of unmet needs such as rising costs and obstacles in the health system and plans

Physician Acceptance of New Medicare Patients Stabilizes in 2004-05

Measures access to physicians by Medicare beneficiaries in recent years, in relation to the decline in the number of U.S. physicians accepting patients during the late 1990s. Explores factors that determine why a physician accepts new patients