A study on the impact of healthcare reform policies on different patient behaviors in hospitals based on multiple regression analysis

Abstract

To examine the impact of the government’s healthcare reform—eliminating the 15% drug price markup—on hospital revenue structures and patient behavior across socioeconomic groups, a multiple regression model was applied to 2015–2018 Q2 patient data from a major hospital in Liaoning Province. Results revealed that the reform shifted hospital drug revenue from profit-driven to volume-driven models, with service revenue proportion rising. Rural patients saw a 12.5% reduction in drug costs, while elderly chronic disease patients experienced limited benefits due to a 14.1% increase in service fees. Insurance status showed no significant correlation with reform outcomes. The study confirms the reform’s effectiveness in restructuring hospital income but highlights service cost burdens for elderly chronic patients. Policy recommendations include optimizing healthcare resource allocation by socioeconomic disparities and leveraging data to tailor insurance and institutional strategies.