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An examination of physician responses to the expansion of Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women during the 1980s is presented using data on a variety of physician practices. Expanded Medicaid eligibility is found to increase access to physician services, but only in 'public' institutions such as public clinics and hospital clinics; findings refute earlier claims that private, office-based physicians see more Medicaid patients as a result of the policy changes.

Using a unique panel dataset of health plan choices and personal characteristics of employees at a single firm, this paper provides estimates of price elasticities for health insurance plans in a managed competition setting. Estimated price elasticities are larger in absolute value than most previous estimates and the magnitude of the price elasticity suggests that there is a place for price competition in this market. We also find evidence of transition costs in switching health plans for older and less healthy employees. Such differential responses to price may contribute to adverse selection in this market. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.), I. Introduction Using a unique panel dataset of the health plan choices and personal characteristics of employees at a single firm, this paper provides estimates of price elasticities for health [...]

Using a unique panel dataset of health plan choices and personal characteristics of employees at a single firm, this paper provides estimates of price elasticities for health insurance plans in a managed competition setting. Estimated price elasticities are larger in absolute value than most previous estimates and the magnitude of the price elasticity suggests that there is a place for price competition in this market. The authors also find evidence of transition costs in switching health plans for older and less healthy employees. Such differential responses to price may contribute to adverse selection in this market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]