The Gerontologist, Vol 34, Issue 6 787-796, Copyright © 1994 by The Gerontological Society of America
A comparison of the effect of regulation on health care for the older American: a tale of two states
EG Gay, JJ Kronenfeld and FG Dettmann
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Department of Health Services Administration 72204.
The enactment of changes in health care policy necessitates monitoring
industry practice to assure a response in line with intent. Theory predicts
that tightly controlled organizations produce too few services to meet
needs. Those under milder restrictions produce too many services to
compensate for perceived losses in revenue. This study explores the
relationship, if any, between level of regulatory intensity upon, and
subsequent service delivery within, the hospital industry. Some service
retrenchment may be desirable, particularly if fewer iatrogenic events
occur. Too few services proffered are harmful. A look at prior efforts may
prove beneficial before the United States initiates overall health care
reform.
