This paper analyzes and compares healthcare expenditure data across three U.S. states — New York, California, and Massachusetts — using five key indicators: total employer-sponsored insurance spending, rates of uninsured adults, federal Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements, average cost per resident, and adult access to healthcare. Drawing on 2018 and 2020 data, the paper finds that New York performs consistently well, maintaining low uninsured rates and high Medicare reimbursements. California ranks lowest overall, while Massachusetts presents a paradox of high spending alongside a high uninsured population. The paper concludes by reflecting on what healthcare expenditure levels reveal about a state's economic health, human capital investment, and social welfare priorities.
When a state makes healthcare expenditures, it is spending to provide better healthcare facilities and greater opportunities for access. Research on healthcare expenditure and economic performance demonstrates that human capital must be strengthened through enhanced productivity, which is only possible with high levels of health across all age groups, contributing to the fortification of the broader economy (Raghupati & Raghupati, 2020). This paper compares New York, the state of residency, against California and Massachusetts across several crucial healthcare indicators.
The following table presents five key healthcare indicators for each of the three states.
One of the key factors used to illustrate healthcare system spending is total employer-sponsored insurance reimbursements for physician office services per enrollee for adults aged 18–64 years, measured in dollars (Commonwealth Fund, 2022). The data is taken for the year 2018, since data for 2019 was missing for New York, although it was available for the other two states.
The total number of uninsured adults in the three states shows that the lowest rate of uninsured adults is in New York. This is a positive sign when compared to Massachusetts and California, both of which have higher rates of uninsured adults. It can be inferred that New York has better health coverage plans than the other two states. The data for this indicator is taken for the year 2020 for all three states.
The third row shows total Medicare reimbursements for inpatient hospitals per enrollee. New York again ranks highest compared to the other two states, indicating higher reimbursements for Medicare plans for its citizens, while Massachusetts and California do not reach the same level. This data is also taken for the year 2020 for all three states.
The average cost per resident is measured as primary care spending on adults aged 65 years and above for Medicare beneficiaries. The exact data for average cost per resident was not available on the source website; therefore, this factor was selected as a proxy for comparing average spending across the three states. New York has the highest cost under this measure, while Massachusetts has the lowest among the three. The data is taken for the year 2020 for all three states.
Access to healthcare for adults aged 18 years and above is taken as another crucial indicator of healthcare status. Among the three states, New York ranks second after Massachusetts, with California in third place. The data is taken for the year 2020 for all three states.
With a thorough analysis of the table and corresponding data, California ranks lowest overall. Its low healthcare spending results in a high number of uninsured residents, lower Medicare expenditure, and the lowest rate of adult access to healthcare when compared to New York and Massachusetts.
"Rankings and findings across all three states"
Commonwealth Fund. (2022). Doctors' office visit employer-sponsored insurance spending per enrollee.
Nelson, D., & Rushakoff, J. (2019). Massachusetts' remaining uninsured: Who they are and how to cover them. https://www.hks.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/degree%20programs/MPP/files/PAE%20Final%20-%20Nelson%20Rushakoff%20NO%20LOGO%20NO%20NAME.pdf
Raghupati, V., & Raghupati, W. (2020). Healthcare expenditure and economic performance: Insights from the United States data. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 156. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00156
You’re 57% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 1 section.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.