Medical Indigency and the Public Health Care Crisis

Abstract

[...]although a public care system such as that proposed for Chicago may benefit many of the city's uninsured, it does not appear to be applicable as a solution to medical indigency in the many forms it takes across the country. [...]programs that cover all basic health care needs -- i.e., inpatient and outpatient services -- should be developed. [...]open-ended entitlements should be avoided in favor of capitated prospective payment for defined health care plans that provide for patient cost sharing whenever this is possible. [...]a comprehensive set of programs should be based on creative planning by, and joint ventures between, the public and private sector.