Health Policy Research Update

Health status does not immediately improve for uninsured people when they become eligible for Medicare coverage at age 65, although they no longer exhibit higher risks for mortality or other serious health problems after two years of Medicare coverage, according to a study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

The authors said the study supports the case for permitting uninsured people to buy into Medicare or Medicaid prior to age 65, a move that could substantially reduce Medicare spending.

This week's Health Policy Update also includes studies on:

• Health care as a priority for U.S. residents; and
  
  
• How policies that encourage hospital competition affect racial health care disparities.