A Crisis in Primary Care -- the Massachusetts Health Care Experiment
From: Karen Brown
Length: 00:05:38
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Piece Description
As national health reformers are scrutinizing the Massachusetts reform experiment, a number of glitches are surfacing. While health care reform in Massachusetts has led to a dramatic increase in the number of people with health insurance, there’s an unintended consequence: A sudden demand for primary care doctors has outpaced the supply. This piece looks at crisis in primary care within the context of Massachusetts health reform and universal coverage, with perspectives from consumers, doctors, and advocates.
This is part of an ongoing reporting series made possible by a Kaiser Media Fellowship. Versions of this have aired on NPR (Weekend Edition) and WFCR, Amherst, MA.
Broadcast History
similar version aired on NPR's Weekend Edition in December, 2009, and later on WFCR, Amherst
Transcript
Suggested Intro: HEALTH REFORM IN MASSACHUSETTS HAS LED TO A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH HEALTH INSURANCE. BUT THERE'S AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE. A SUDDEN DEMAND FOR PRIMARY CARE DOCTORS HAS OUTPACED THE SUPPLY. KAREN BROWN HAS THIS REPORT.
AMB: sounds of Emergency Room under this section
KAMELA CHRISTARA APPEARS AT THE TRIAGE WINDOW IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT COOLEY DICKINSON HOSPITAL IN NORTHAMPTON.
(fade up) KC: "I passed out last week." Nurse: "could you fill one of these out." (fade under)
THE 47-YEAR-OLD SINGLE MOTHER HAS ADVANCED LYME DISEASE, AND SHE CAN'T FIND A PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR TO OVERSEE HER CARE. SHE'S CALLED HALF A DOZEN PRACTICES IN THREE TOWNS, AND NONE ARE ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS. SO WHEN PROBLEMS COME UP, EVEN ROUTINE ONES, SHE COMES TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. EACH TIME, SHE GOES THROUGH HER MEDICAL HISTORY WITH THE INTAKE NURSE.
(fade up) KC: i h...
Read the full transcript
Timing and Cues
Piece is 5:37, without introduction. The outcue says simply, "I'm Karen Brown."
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