Should Medical Care be Free Cost Sharing and Health Financing Policy

摘要

Debate over the wisdome of having patients pay for some or all of their medical care services has persisted for many years, so much so that this issue has traditionally been a litmus test of one's liberal or conservative sentiments. Although the debate has been quite animated, assertions have been more common than facts. Only in the past decade has systematic inquiry into the effects of cost shcaring taken place. This effort has produced most of the knowledge described below. Despite the great strides that have been made, much remains unknown. Fortunately, research is currently underway that should add substantially to our knowledge over the next few years.