The Problem of Underinsurance and How Rising Deductibles Will Make It Worse
By Sara R. Collins, Petra W. Rasmussen, Sophie Beutel, Michelle M. Doty#N#The Commonwealth Fund, May 20, 2015
Comment
This update of The Commonwealth Fund’s continuing study of the rate of underinsurance confirms that the problem persists, and the trend of increasing deductibles may well make it worse.
Working-Age Americans Bear Brunt of Medical Debt
A study finds the largest number yet of Americans struggling with medical bills and medical debt. The burden deters many from seeking preventive care and chronic disease treatment.
Lack of health insurance kills
Being without health insurance can kill you, say Drs. Linda and Gene Farley, and access to medical care should be a right, not a privilege.
International Survey: U.S. Leads In Medical Errors
Bethesda, MD — One-third of patients with health problems in the United States report experiencing medical, medication, or test errors, the highest rate of any nation in a new Commonwealth Fund international survey.
Unintended over-utilization by ethical physicians
There is widespread recognition that health care spending varies widely across the United States. Per capita Medicare expenditure in the areas of highest spending is double that in the lowest-spending areas, even though in some cases these represent neighboring areas.
Kentucky AFL-CIO Endorses Conyers' Single Payer HR 676
Adopted by the Kentucky State AFL-CIO Convention, October, 2005#N#RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE KENTUCKY STATE AFL-CIO CONVENTION TO ENDORSE HR 676, SINGLE-PAYER UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE
Increase in uninsured will save our economy
Between 2000 and 2004, the number of uninsured Americans increased by six million, primarily because of a decline in employer-sponsored insurance. All of the increase occurred among adults, for whom the drop in employer coverage was not offset by an increase in public coverage. The number of uninsured children fell slightly.
The danger of consumer-driven health care
Health care operates by what economists commonly call an “80/20” rule.
Non-Group Health Insurance: Many Insured Americans with High Out-of-Pocket Costs Forgo Needed Health Care
Our study examined adults who bought private health insurance in the non-group market in 2014
Designing Silver Health Plans with Affordable Out-of-Pocket Costs for Lower- and Moderate-Income Consumers
Silver plans have an actuarial value of 70 percent, meaning that they are required to cover 70 percent of people’s health care costs (on average).
Comment
Today Families USA released their report that confirms, once again, that many adults insured with high-deductible health plans are likely to forgo needed medical care, especially if they have lower to middle incomes. So what are their recommendations?
The High Cost of Healthcare: Patients See Greater Cost-Shifting and Reduced Coverage in Exchange Markets 2014-2018
The expansion in coverage due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) increased the number of insured Americans by 20 million.
Comment
A decade ago the individual health insurance market was in total disarray and thus was one of the primary motivators to enact the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Under ACA these plans became more tightly regulated and subsidies inversely related to income were provided to make the premiums and cost-sharing more affordable. How is this working?
Vulnerable And Less Vulnerable Women In High-Deductible Health Plans Experienced Delayed Breast Cancer Care
By J. Frank Wharam, Fang Zhang, Jamie Wallace, Christine Lu, Craig Earle, Stephen B. Soumerai, Larissa Nekhlyudov, and Dennis Ross-Degnan#N#Health Affairs, March 2019
Comment
We have serious problems with our health care financing system – a system that costs twice the average per capita of other wealthy nations yet falls miserably short in performance. In the meantime, the policy community busies itself with fixes that have clearly failed to bring our expensive system up to the standards of other nations.