The effects of cardiac specialty hospitals on the cost and quality of medical care
By: Jason R. Barro, Robert S. Huckman, Daniel P. Kessler.
Contributors: Huckman, Robert S.; Kessler, Daniel P.; National Bureau of Economic Research.
Series: NBER working paper series ;; working paper 11707; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research : Online) ;; working paper no. 11707.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2005
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Subjects: Specialty hospitals -- Economic aspects -- United States.; Heart -- Diseases -- Hospitals -- Economic aspects -- United States.; Medical care, Cost of -- United States.
Description: "The recent rise of specialty hospitals -- typically for-profit firms that are at least partially owned by physicians -- has led to substantial debate about their effects on the cost and quality of care.  Advocates of specialty hospitals claim they improve quality and lower cost; critics contend they concentrate on providing profitable procedures and attracting relatively healthy patients, leaving (predominantly nonprofit) general hospitals with a less-remunerative, sicker patient population.  We find support for both sides of this debate.  Markets experiencing entry by a cardiac specialty hospital have lower spending for cardiac care without significantly worse clinical outcomes.  In markets with a specialty hospital, however, specialty hospitals tend to attract healthier patients and provide higher levels of intensive procedures than general hospitals"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.
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