It is human nature to be less cautious of cost if someone else is paying for it.
The results will be mixed, some people will decide unwisely not to pay for care they need and some people will decise wisely that they don't need that extra test or doctor's visit.
It seems clear to me that some of my patients are not having surgery to treat genuine ( but not life threatening) problems because the family budget is tight and they are worried about future income, not willing to take on extra debt. I suspect some of them are not even coming to the doctor at all... my volume is down, my colleagues are complaining and the hospitals have been reducing staff.
I think the article is correct about what is happening.
