Phase II reforms included which change in financing and costs?

Phase II reforms included which change in financing and costs?

• A. Increased insurance coverage and lower out-of-pocket costs
• B. Expansion of surveillance
• C. Increase in essential drug access
• D. Less insurance and more out-of-pocket payments

Answer: (D)

Phase II reforms are about how care is financed and who bears the costs. In Phase II, the pattern is to shift more financial responsibility to individuals, reducing the extent of insurance protection. This shows up as higher out-of-pocket costs for patients, such as increased deductibles, co-pays, premiums, or a narrower set of covered services. That’s why this change—less insurance protection and more burden on patients’ wallets—best fits the idea of Phase II financing shifts. Expanding insurance coverage and lowering out-of-pocket costs would make care more affordable and is the opposite of the Phase II cost-shifting trend. Expanding surveillance is about monitoring and data, not financing. Increasing essential drug access reduces financial barriers for medications, which again does not match the described shift in who pays.

Phase II reforms are about how care is financed and who bears the costs. In Phase II, the pattern is to shift more financial responsibility to individuals, reducing the extent of insurance protection. This shows up as higher out-of-pocket costs for patients, such as increased deductibles, co-pays, premiums, or a narrower set of covered services. That’s why this change—less insurance protection and more burden on patients’ wallets—best fits the idea of Phase II financing shifts.

Expanding insurance coverage and lowering out-of-pocket costs would make care more affordable and is the opposite of the Phase II cost-shifting trend. Expanding surveillance is about monitoring and data, not financing. Increasing essential drug access reduces financial barriers for medications, which again does not match the described shift in who pays.