Experience of the Veterans Health Administration in Massachusetts after state health care reform.
Starting in 2006, Massachusetts enacted a series of health insurance reforms that successfully led to 96.6% of its population being covered by 2011. As the rest of the nation undertakes similar reforms, it is unknown how the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), one of many important Federal health care programs, will be affected. Our state-level study approach assessed the effects of health reform on utilization of VHA services in Massachusetts from 2005 to 2011. Models were adjusted for state-level demographic and economic characteristics, including health insurance rates, unemployment rates, median household income, poverty rates, and percent of population 65 years and older. No statistically significant associative change was observed in Massachusetts relative to other states over this time period. The findings raise important questions about the continuing role of VHA in American health care as health insurance coverage is one of many factors that influence decisions on where to seek health care.
Department of Veterans Affairs, VA New England Healthcare System, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730.
Stephanie H
SH
Chan
Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130.
James F
JF
Burgess
Department of Health Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02115.
Jack A
JA
Clark
Department of Veterans Affairs, VA New England Healthcare System, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730.
Michael F
MF
Mayo-Smith
D000368:Aged; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008404:Massachusetts; D058991:Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011203:Poverty; D014478:Unemployment; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data