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Playlist: Say "Ahhh!": Health Care Specials

Compiled By: PRX Editors

 Credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bitzi/290450000/in/set-72157594251907915/">bitzi</a>
Image by: bitzi 
Curated Playlist

Perspective on health care issues facing the U.S.: From Inside Out Documentaries with correspondent Rachel Gotbaum, the looming shortage of nurses, why you can't find a primary care physician, and the quality of end-of-life care. From reporter Karen Brown, a series on Massachusetts' new public health plan, and more.

More for the health care debate can be found in our health topic and by using our search.

Health Reform in Massachusetts (Series)

Produced by Karen Brown

A series on Massachusetts' health reform experiment that looks at what's working and what's not. Part 1 is a look back at how the law was passed. Part 2 explains the individual mandate. Part 3 explores who's benefiting from the new public programs.

Most recent piece in this series:

Health Reform Part 3 - Who Benefits from Massachusetts Public Programs

From Karen Brown | Part of the Health Reform in Massachusetts series | 05:28

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WHEN MASSACHUSETTS PASSED ITS 2006 LAW REQUIRING EVERYONE TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, LEGISLATORS REALIZED THEY'D HAVE TO HELP MANY PEOPLE GET THAT INSURANCE. SO THEY CREATED A NEW PUBLIC HEALTH PLAN FOR PEOPLE MAKING UP TO THREE TIMES THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL.  ALMOST A QUARTER OF A MILLION PEOPLE - WHO WERE UNINSURED -- ARE NOW GETTING FREE OR SUBSIDIZED HEALTH CARE. HOWEVER, THERE ARE STILL HOLES AND COMPLICATIONS WITH THE NEW SYSTEM – AND QUESTIONS ABOUT ITS LONGTERM VIABILITY. IN THE LAST OF A SERIES ON MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH REFORM,  KAREN BROWN REPORTS.

Insurance Scams in Massachusetts

From Karen Brown | 03:31

An unfortunate byproduct of the health insurance mandate in Massachusetts — the marketing of health plans that don't add up. From Karen Brown.

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IN 2006, WHEN MASSACHUSETTS MANDATED THAT EVERY RESIDENT IN THE STATE HAD TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, THE MARKET BLEW WIDE OPEN FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES. AND WHILE MOST OF THEM HAVE LEGITIMATE PRODUCTS, SOME HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF A NEW CONSUMER BASE THAT MAY NOT KNOW WHAT IT NEEDS OR WHAT IT’S GETTING.

This piece is part of an ongoing series, funded by a Kaiser Media Fellowship, on the Massachusetts health reform experiment.

A Crisis in Primary Care -- the Massachusetts Health Care Experiment

From Karen Brown | 05:39

Health care 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. From Karen Brown.

Dan_levy3_small 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.