The Effects of the New York Health Care Reform Act of 1996 on Health Services Accessibility and Efficiency

What is the impact of the New York Health Care Reform Act (NYHCRA) of 1996 (implemented in January 1997) on access to and efficiency of health services? NYHCRA replaced the regulatory control of hospital rates with negotiated rates driven by market forces and established public goods pools to finance health care for uninsured and low income New Yorkers, support GME, and fund other specific health care initiatives. The researchers investigated effects of NYHCRA on the delivery of care to low-income populations, access to care for vulnerable populations, and the efficiency of hospitals. This study was conducted in close cooperation with the New York State Department of Health and the United Hospital Fund, organizations which, with HANYS, comprise the New York State NYHCRA Study Group. The objective of the study was to inform the policy debate in New York in 1999 when NYHCRA expires, as well as to assist other states in developing health care financing systems that seek to finance public goods in an increasingly competitive health care market.