Possible side effects of health system reform

The provisions of the national health system reform law are only part of the puzzle. Exactly how those provisions are implemented will affect whether reform is considered a success. American Medical News has investigated some lesser-known aspects of reform that might surprise those who think they know how it will roll out.

Health reform after 2014: Not-so-universal coverage

Roughly 30 million people are expected to gain health coverage under the reform law's provisions, but that would still leave about 20 million uninsured, whether by choice or by circumstance.

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Bracing for Medicaid expansion

Not all states are going to fare equally when the reform law's Medicaid expansion kicks in. Regions where the patient need is greatest but the physician supply is lowest have a poorer access outlook.

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Defining essential benefits: How much is too much?

Mandating the services health plans must cover under reform is a tricky balancing act. Make the list too small, and patients don't get needed care. Make it too big, and care becomes unaffordable.

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