Publication Date
Summary
A sample of 3,958 people were randomly assigned to two differing healthcare plans: one providing entirely free care, and the other involving cost-sharing. The results suggest that free care significantly benefited the health of poor patients in terms of eyesight, blood pressure, and overall mortality rate. They do not find a significant impact of free care on the rich.
Policy Implications
These results indicate that eliminating cost-sharing for the poor will significantly increase their health outcomes. This suggests that a progressive cost-sharing plan may maximize health outcomes while maintain cost-effectiveness.