Rochester: community rating = insurance access

Area of Science:

• Health Policy
• Health Insurance Reform
• Community Rating

Background:

• New York State Legislature passed a small-group reform bill.
• The bill mandates community rating in health insurance.
• This reform faced some opposition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of community rating in health insurance.
• To demonstrate the viability of community rating as public policy.
• To assess community rating as a sound business practice.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the Rochester, NY healthcare system.
• Case study approach.

Main Results:

• The Rochester healthcare system serves as evidence for the success of community rating.
• Community rating is shown to be effective in practice.

Conclusions:

• Community rating is a beneficial public policy.
• Community rating is a sustainable business practice.
• The New York reform bill's principles are supported by real-world application.