In many ways, Rhode Island is an outlier. But in one case, at least, the Ocean State stands out in a way that places it among the leaders in the United States, and it is undeniably a good thing.
As of Dec. 10, signups for health insurance through HealthSource RI are 11 percent ahead of the pace at the same time in 2017, this despite the fact that the federal government removed the penalty for not complying with the individual mandate to have health insurance.
Having more people with health insurance has many positive effects on the health of the state in general.
First, people are more likely to access primary health care, and in general, become healthier, although this effect sometimes takes a while to manifest itself if the health care consumer has been out of the system for a while and has allowed chronic conditions to become acute.
Second, with insurance, especially the kinds of policies available on HealthSource RI, the likelihood of financial ruin caused by a catastrophic health event drops.
And lastly, health care providers, especially hospitals, are more likely to be paid for the services they provide, putting less financial pressure on them and allowing them to focus on their mission – providing health care.
Health care is a complex issue, and without a doubt, the national debate over how to improve health outcomes while cutting the cost of providing health care will continue for years to come. But this small piece of the puzzle is a sign that Rhode Island is doing something right.