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Health Reform and Primary Care Capacity: Evidence from Houston/Harris County, Texas
- Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
- Johns Hopkins University Press
- Volume 23, Number 1, February 2012
- pp. 386-397
- 10.1353/hpu.2012.0023
- Article
- Additional Information
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This study estimated the possible surge in demand for primary care among the low-income population in Houston/Harris County under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and related it to existing supply by safety-net providers. A model of the demand for primary care visits was developed based on California Health Interview Survey data and applied to the Houston/Harris County population. The current supply of primary care visits by safety-net providers was determined by a local survey. Comparisons indicate that safety-net providers in Houston/Harris County are currently meeting about 30% of the demand for primary care visits by the low-income population, and the rest are either met by private practice physicians or are unmet. Demand for primary care by this population is projected to increase by 30% under health reform leading to a drop in demand met by safety-net providers to less than 25%.