DALLAS, TX – Millions of people will try to access health care services that simply won't be there because the already strained health care providers will not be able to meet the increased demand, as a direct result of the new national health care reform, according to a new report from the National Center for Policy Analysis. http://www.ncpathinktank.org/pub/ba706
"People who are insured spend twice as much on health care services as the uninsured. This means that under projections for the new health care bill, between 32 and 34 million more people will try to double the amount of health care services they consume," said report author and NCPA Senior Fellow Devon Herrick. "We have a shortage of primary care physicians now and it's going to get worse."
Herrick's analysis suggests four revisions to the health care system to provide more accessible care.
- Expand access to nurse practitioners and physician assistants
- Implement three-year medical degrees for new primary care doctors
- Increase pharmacists' role as a provider
- Lift telemedical care restrictions
"Ideally, patients would be able to see whatever type of physician they need and get quality care at a competitive cost in a timely manner," said Herrick. "The reality is, we need creative, free-market options to fill those gaps."
Video comments on research with Devon Herrick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0q_DlxpQIN4
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Editors Note: Contact Catherine Daniell to schedule an interview with Devon Herrick
The NCPA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research organization headquartered in Dallas with offices in Washington, D.C. The NCPA depends solely on the contributions of individuals, corporations and foundations that advocate private sector solutions to public policy problems. All contributions are tax-deductible, and the NCPA accepts no government grants or contracts.