The impact of health care reform on hospital and preventive care: Evidence from Massachusetts

In April 2006, Massachusetts passed legislation aimed at achieving near-universal health insurance coverage. The key features of this legislation were a model for national health reform, passed in March 2010. The reform gives us a novel opportunity to examine the impact of expansion to near-universal coverage state-wide. Among hospital discharges in Massachusetts, we find that the reform decreased uninsurance by 36% relative to its initial level and to other states. Reform affected utilization by decreasing length of stay, and the number of inpatient admissions originating from the emergency room. When we control for patient severity, we find evidence that preventable admissions decreased. At the same time, hospital cost growth did not increase.

► Massachusetts passed health reform legislation in April 2006. ► We compare outcomes in Massachusetts and other states before and after the reform. ► Among hospital discharges, the reform decreased uninsurance by 36%. ► Length of stay and inpatient admissions from the emergency room decreased. ► Hospital cost growth did not increase.