Presaging what might happen under federal healthcare reform, a study of the effects of Massachusetts' reform finds many residents are visiting EDs because they can’t find a primary care physician, according to a report by the Boston Herald.
A report by the Massachusetts Health Council found that while 97 percent of state residents were insured, only 44 percent of primary care doctors are accepting new patients and primary care is increasingly being provided by EDs.
Similarly, the Massachusetts Medical Society recently reported that more than half of family primary care practices were not accepting new patients, the highest rate in four years.
The Massachusetts reforms were first enacted in 2006.
Read the Boston Herald report on health reform.
Read more coverage of Massachusetts reforms.
- Massachusetts Aims to Reduce Healthcare Costs By Slowing Hospital Expansion Project
- Massachusetts Insurers Vow to Cut Hospital Rates
- Massachusetts Hospitals Report $17.2B in Assets, With Wide Disparities
A report by the Massachusetts Health Council found that while 97 percent of state residents were insured, only 44 percent of primary care doctors are accepting new patients and primary care is increasingly being provided by EDs.
Similarly, the Massachusetts Medical Society recently reported that more than half of family primary care practices were not accepting new patients, the highest rate in four years.
The Massachusetts reforms were first enacted in 2006.
Read the Boston Herald report on health reform.
Read more coverage of Massachusetts reforms.
- Massachusetts Aims to Reduce Healthcare Costs By Slowing Hospital Expansion Project
- Massachusetts Insurers Vow to Cut Hospital Rates
- Massachusetts Hospitals Report $17.2B in Assets, With Wide Disparities