The Influence of State Policy and Proximity to Medical Services on Health Outcomes

47 Pages Posted: 13 Nov 2015

See all articles by Jing Li

Jing Li

Singapore Management University

Date Written: October 30, 2013

Abstract

This paper examines two factors that help to explain geographic variation in health outcomes. The first factor concerns proximity to medical services. The second factor is state-specific health care policy that may impede access to nearby medical services. Four key findings are obtained. First, the effect of local doctors on reducing mortality rates of various diseases in a county attenuates with distance. Second, at approximately the same distance, in-state doctors contribute more to lowering mortality rates in the primary county than do out-of-state doctors. Third, the lesser impact of nearby out-of-state doctors is further reduced when the primary state adopts more stringent policies that restrict entry of out-of-state physicians. Fourth, the impact of nearby doctors is found to be stronger in more urbanized areas. This is consistent with agglomeration economies being effective in contributing, at least in part, to the productivity of treating patients.

Keywords: Agglomeration, Health Care, State Border

JEL Classification: R00, R30, I00

Suggested Citation

Li, Jing, The Influence of State Policy and Proximity to Medical Services on Health Outcomes (October 30, 2013). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2689398 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2689398

Jing Li (Contact Author)

Singapore Management University ( email )

90 Stamford Road
178903
Singapore

HOME PAGE: http://www.mysmu.edu/faculty/lijing/

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