查看文章

Objective:

To compare disparities in postoperative outcomes for African Americans after surgical intervention in the universally insured military system, versus the civilian setting in California.

Background:

Health reform proponents cite the reduction of disparities for African Americans and minorities as an expected benefit. The impact of universal health insurance on reducing surgical disparities for African Americans has not previously been examined.

Methods:

We used Department of Defense health insurance (Tricare) data (2006–2010) to measure outcomes for African Americans as compared with Whites after 12 major surgical procedures across multiple specialties. The experience of African Americans in the Tricare system was compared with a similar cohort undergoing surgery in the state of California using the State Inpatient Database (2007–2011).

Results:

No significant difference in postoperative complications …