Feasibility of Universal Healthcare in the United States
Open Access
Author:
Morris, Ashley
Area of Honors:
Mathematics
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Joel E Segel, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Diane Marie Henderson, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
universal healthcare Medicaid Expansion mathematical model uninsured access gap economic feasibility
Abstract:
As concerns grow about the inefficiency and unsustainability of the United States health care system, universal coverage health reforms have started to gain more traction. The goal of these reforms is to expand public insurance coverage eligibility, improving the access to care for individuals lacking consistent insurance coverage. However, it is not clear what the effect would be on utilization and as a result what the financial impact would likely be. This study estimates the effect of universal coverage on total expenditures of the uninsured and partially insured populations. Using a two-part model stratified by health status and age, the analysis suggests that the additional annual cost for medical care would be approximately $70.85 billion if both the uninsured and partially insured nonelderly populations became fully insured. An increase in medical spending of this magnitude would raise total health care spending by roughly two percent.
