Title: |
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Covering the Uninsured: Estimates of the Impact on Total Health Expenditures for 2002 |
Description: |
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This study estimates the change in national health expenditures that would result if all uninsured persons in the non-elderly population were given health insurance coverage. Our analysis assumes that, after adjusting for individual characteristics, the uninsured, when given coverage, would spend the same for health care as the previously insured. We find that expanding public coverage would have cost $38.1 to $41.3 billion in 2002, while expanding private coverage would have cost $53.8 to $67.4 billion. These estimates are adjusted for uncompensated care and administrative costs. Public coverage is less costly than private coverage because of lower provider reimbursement rates. |
Author(s): |
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Edward Miller, Jessica S. Banthin, John F. Moeller |
Agency: |
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Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality |