Researchers performed an electronic literature search of PubMed, EconLit and EMBASE databases for studies based in the U.S. between 1990 and 2012.
Of 61 studies, 34 percent showed a positive or mixed-positive association, meaning higher cost was associated with higher quality. Thirty percent of the studies indicated a negative or mixed-negative association and 36 percent reported no association or a mixed association.
While the studies differed in methods and measures, the authors concluded that evidence for the link between healthcare cost and quality is inconsistent. The authors suggest researchers should study what types of spending most effectively improve quality.
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