Now in @NEJM: K Baicker, B Sommers & I review last 10 years’ most rigorous research on how coverage affects health http://bit.ly/2rSHLDl
-
-
Here are 12 of our specific findings:
-
1. People are more likely to have a usual source of medical care and to be able to afford needed medical care.
-
2. Fewer medical bills are sent to collections. Fewer bankruptcies. Virtual elimination of catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses.
-
3. People have greater access to primary and preventive care, chronic illness treatment, and medications.
-
4. 15-30% more people get screened for high cholesterol and cancer.
-
5. Nearly twice as many patients take necessary diabetes medication.
-
6. Depression symptoms (leading cause of disability in US) are reduced by 30%, and more people are diagnosed successfully.
-
7. More low-income patients get necessary surgery for colon cancer before it's too late.
-
8. Result: 25% more people report being in good or excellent overall health.
-
9. Longest study: Medicaid cut mortality 6% over 5 yrs. Biggest gains came from healthcare-amenable dx like heart disease, cancer, infection
-
10. The longer people have coverage, the greater the mortality reduction.
-
11. Overall, for every ~300 to 800 adults who get coverage, rigorous studies suggest we save one life per year.
-
12. Increasing coverage through Medicaid has been at least as effective as doing so through private insurance.
-
In sum: Coverage has made people healthier and helped 10s of thousands per year live longer, healthier lives.
-
Weakening coverage will increase medical debts, untreated sickness, and deaths.
- 4 more replies
New conversation -
-
-
Oncology Practice May 2017 reviewed early cancer diagnosis as a result of the ACA. Big impact in cancer caught Stage 1, tremendous savings
-
And relief for those affected
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
So what's your answer to the
#Obamacare death spiral? How you advise Congress? -
Strengthen the mandate, increase subsidies and CSR payments, and commit to improving the ACA to reassure insurers. Pretty simple.
-
Agreed. Also, it's worth noting that while the markets definitely need help, "death spiral" is an exaggeration.https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-obamacare-marketplaces-arent-in-a-death-spiral/ …
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.