Use rates under President Clintonʼs health reform plan

Abstract

During the 1992 presidential debates there was considerable rhetoric on health reform. Based on the broad principles now available concerning President Clinton's plan, this article compares differences in hospital and physician use rates of the now uninsured, who would be covered by his proposal, to those who have been traditionally enrolled in health insurance plans. Numerous studies illustrate that these new insurees have historically needed more and received less health care than the insured. Hospitals and physicians will be under pressure to provide a greater volume of benefits. It is predicted that these future estimated use rates will be more akin to the Canadian single-payor rather than the German multipayor national health insurance plan.