The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #74028

Ellen R Shaffer, PhD, Center for Policy Analysis, 98 Seal Rock Drive, San Francisco, CA 94121, 415-933-6204, ershaffer@earthlink.net

The US uses less hospital care than Germany and Switzerland, and less high technology than Japan, yet US expenditures are the highest in the world on a per capita basis and as a percent of GDP. Despite historically low utilization rates and low insurance premiums in California, savings have not been translated into expanded access to care or expanded coverage, and the number of uninsured continues to rise. As health insurance premiums rise once again, policy proposals are re-emerging that suggest increasing the financial burden on consumers to make them more cost-conscious purchasers of health care. These proposals are unlikely to achieve cost control or expanded access. The influence of relative bargaining leverage among providers, purchasers and consumers will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to identify the difference between provider-driven and consumer-driven utilization.
• Participants will consider why the U.S. and California use relatively little health care but pay high prices.
• Participants will consider whether cost containment can be linked to greater access.

Keywords: Health Care Utilization, Cost Issues

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.