Researchers at the Mercatus Center, affiliated with George Mason University, just released a study examining health care access on a state-by-state basis. (here)

 “The Mercatus Center’s Healthcare Openness and Access Project (HOAP) is a set of tools providing state-by-state measures of the flexibility and discretion that patients and providers have in managing health and healthcare. In other words, how open are the state’s laws and regulations to institutional variation in the delivery of care; and how much access to varying modes of care does this confer on the state’s patients and providers. The project comprises an overall HOAP index, 10 subindexes, 38 indicators, additional underlying data, state-by-state rankings of the index and subindexes, and a matrix encompassing most of these items.”

In other words, the study is extensive and comprehensive, albeit with a few limitations that the authors describe. Most health care legislation arguably comes from the federal government, however, the Mercatus study looks specifically at differences in state laws that affect health care access.

Out of 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Washington state ranks 23^rd overall. Our state scores high marks in direct primary care (1) and telemedicine (1). We score low in provider regulations (42) and taxation (44).

Access to quality, low-cost health care should be the goal of any legislation directed at health care reform. The Mercatus study would be a good starting point for elected officials interested in meaningful reform in Washington state.