Poor people who are given medical insurance receive more regular medical care, feel healthier, feel less depressed and maintain financial stability more easily, according to a study that assesses the impact of Medicaid, reported in the New York Times.
According to the report, health economists and policymakers have long wondered whether providing health insurance to poor people makes a difference in overall health and regularity of treatment. As some states make drastic cuts to Medicaid, the study provides an important look at the impact of the program on impoverished residents.
The study, published Thursday by the National Bureau of Economic Research, used a design in which people were randomly selected to have Medicaid or not. Researchers then asked if the insurance made any difference.
The study found that those with Medicaid were 35 percent more likely to go to a clinic or see a physician, 15 percent more likely to use prescription drugs and 30 percent more likely to be admitted to a hospital. The researchers did not detect a change in emergency room use.
The insured were also 25 percent more likely to say their health was good or excellent and 40 percent less likely to say their health had worsened in the past year. The study is now in its next phase, which assesses the effects of insurance on health factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and weight.
Read the New York Times report on Medicaid.
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According to the report, health economists and policymakers have long wondered whether providing health insurance to poor people makes a difference in overall health and regularity of treatment. As some states make drastic cuts to Medicaid, the study provides an important look at the impact of the program on impoverished residents.
The study, published Thursday by the National Bureau of Economic Research, used a design in which people were randomly selected to have Medicaid or not. Researchers then asked if the insurance made any difference.
The study found that those with Medicaid were 35 percent more likely to go to a clinic or see a physician, 15 percent more likely to use prescription drugs and 30 percent more likely to be admitted to a hospital. The researchers did not detect a change in emergency room use.
The insured were also 25 percent more likely to say their health was good or excellent and 40 percent less likely to say their health had worsened in the past year. The study is now in its next phase, which assesses the effects of insurance on health factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and weight.
Read the New York Times report on Medicaid.
Related Articles on Billing, Coding and Collections:
California Senate Approves Bill to Let State Reject Insurance Premium Increases
Blue Shield of California Pledges to Limit Profits Following Criticism of CEO Salary
State Health Insurance Exchanges Are Moving Too Slowly, Experts Say