Insurance Expansions: Do They Hurt Those They are Designed to Help?

14 Pages Posted: 14 Sep 2007

See all articles by Barak D. Richman

Barak D. Richman

Duke University School of Law; CERC, Stanford Univ. School of Medicine; George Washington University - Law School

Abstract

Seeking to redress health disparities across income and race, many policymakers mandate health insurance benefits, presuming that equalized benefits will help equalize use of beneficial health services. This paper tests that presumption by measuring health care use by a diverse population with comprehensive health insurance. Focusing on use of mental health care and pharmaceuticals, it finds that even when insurance benefits and access are constant, whites and those with high incomes consume more of these benefits than other people do. This suggests that privileged classes extract more health care services even when everyone pays equal premiums for equal insurance coverage.

Suggested Citation

Richman, Barak D., Insurance Expansions: Do They Hurt Those They are Designed to Help?. Health Affairs, Vol. 26, No. 5, 2007, Duke Law School Legal Studies Paper No. 169, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1014050

Barak D. Richman (Contact Author)

Duke University School of Law ( email )

210 Science Drive
Box 90362
Durham, NC 27708
United States
919-613-7244 (Phone)
919-613-7231 (Fax)

CERC, Stanford Univ. School of Medicine ( email )

United States

George Washington University - Law School ( email )

2000 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20052
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
115
Abstract Views
1,153
Rank
433,300
PlumX Metrics