Abstract
This article reflects on the role of sociological concepts and of sociologists in a series of national surveys that have proved important to national health policy in financing and access to health care. The development of the early surveys in a university setting and their migration to the government is discussed, as is the relative influence of sociologists and economists. The changing focus of health policy from access to care through expanded government programs, to cost containment and utilization control, provides an important context for understanding these developments. Areas are identified where sociologists can make significant contributions to health policy in financing and access to care.
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She received her PhD in Sociology from the University of Chicago. She spent six years as a Senior Sociologist at NCHSR working on all aspects of the NMCES, and three years as an analyst in the Office of Research at the Health Care Financing Administration.
He received his PhD in Sociology from New York University. He joined NCHSR to conduct analyses of the NMCES data and has had major responsibilities in the design of NMES.
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Kasper, J.D., Berk, M. Sociological gains and losses: The case of the national health care use and expenditure surveys. Am Soc 19, 232–242 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02691982
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02691982