Title: A cost-benefit analysis of the individual mandate in the health coverage system of the USA

Authors: Mehmet Yesilbas; Yusuf Ustun

Addresses: College of Health and Public Affairs (COHPA), PAF PhD Programme, Governance and Policy Research, University of Central Florida, 2805 Pegasus Drive HPA I (Bldg. 80), Room 220B, Orlando, FL 32816-3680, USA ' College of Health and Public Affairs (COHPA), PAF PhD Programme, Governance and Policy Research, University of Central Florida, 2805 Pegasus Drive HPA I (Bldg. 80), Room 220B, Orlando, FL 32816-3680, USA

Abstract: One of the challenging issues in the USA is health coverage system. The issue generally constitutes the major discussion topic of most presidential selection process. The paper analyses casual relationships of the issue and explains the cost benefit relationships between two policies, which are with the mandate and without mandate. One of the targets of the paper is to predict the effects of policy intervention on well being of the population regarding the health issue. By this way, the paper will generate a new approach on how to improve healthcare policy decisions. One of the most significant purposes of the study is to focus on policy alternatives regarding the health coverage system of the USA. The paper will study policy alternatives to decline the figures of people having no insurance. In order to decrease this amount, the paper will examine the cost-benefit of the system for the 20-year period.

Keywords: health coverage; health insurance; individual mandate; USA; United States; cost-benefit analysis; policy intervention; healthcare policy; policy alternatives.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPP.2015.068847

International Journal of Public Policy, 2015 Vol.11 No.1/2/3, pp.33 - 46

Received: 02 Jul 2013
Accepted: 08 Jul 2014
Published online: 15 Apr 2015 *

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