Articles tagged with Health Insurance
A national survey found that a majority of Americans believe in 'myths' about health care reform, including statements on end-of-life decisions, abortions, and illegal immigrants. The survey also showed that Republicans and Independents are more likely to believe these assertions.
The Commonwealth Fund report predicts family premiums will increase 119% between 1999 and 2008, reaching $23,842 per family by 2020. National reforms could save over $3,700 per family policy, with a 1% annual growth rate reduction yielding substantial savings.
Despite being one of the wealthiest nations, the US struggles with health coverage, with an estimated 47 million citizens lacking any coverage. In contrast, poorer countries like Costa Rica and Cuba have achieved impressive prepaid coverage. The authors argue that universal health financing schemes can improve social sectors like educa...
A new Harvard study finds that taxing employer-sponsored health insurance would disproportionately affect low-income families, taking up to 18.3% of their income, while high-income families face only a 2.7% tax rate. Single-payer national health insurance is proposed as a more affordable option for universal coverage.
A recent IU survey found that Americans are divided on government involvement in health insurance, with support varying by party affiliation and age. The 'public option' and 'Medicare-like plan' garnered more support among Democrats, while the single-payer option appealed to younger respondents.
Comprehensive health reform proposals can help young adults aged 19-29 gain coverage through Medicaid expansion and a health insurance exchange. Young adults face significant risks, including medical debt and limited access to healthcare, when they lose their parental coverage or struggle to find jobs with health benefits.
Research at National Jewish Health found asthma control poor among 155 students with asthma, regardless of medical insurance or identified provider. Patients and parents must recognize when management is not optimal to seek help and improve asthma control.
A majority of healthcare leaders support a public health care option and innovative provider payment reform to control costs and ensure access to quality care. They also favor a national insurance exchange with standard-setting authority to standardize benefits and set rating rules.
The individual health insurance market is failing consumers, with 73% unable to purchase a plan due to high premiums. Adults with individual coverage face significant out-of-pocket costs and premium expenses, with half spending 10% or more of their income on these costs.
A large study found that stroke survivors experience a decline in functional ability over five years, with those having Medicaid or no private insurance showing the greatest decline. Factors such as age, diabetes, and severe stroke severity also contribute to this decline.
A new study reveals that medical insurers' reimbursement documents can provide insights into the long-term health of kidney transplant patients. The research found that combined use of Medicare billing claims from both Part A and Part B accurately documented cardiovascular events after transplantation, with a high sensitivity rate.
A study by Indiana University Center for Health Policy and Professionalism found that 59% of physicians support government legislation for National Health Insurance. Nearly every medical specialty showed an increase in levels of support for national health insurance.
A Harvard study found that medical problems contributed to 62.1 percent of all bankruptcies in 2007, with most medically bankrupt individuals having health insurance at the start of their illness. The study also found high out-of-pocket medical costs for insured families and a lack of comprehensive coverage.
A study by NORC and Watson Wyatt Worldwide finds rising rates of underinsurance and unaffordability among workers with employer-sponsored health insurance, particularly those with chronic conditions. The average OOP cost for medical services increased from $545 in 2004 to $729 in 2007.
A study by the Commonwealth Fund found that elderly Medicare beneficiaries have higher ratings for consumer satisfaction, access to care, and quality of care compared to those with ESI. Many adults under age 65 would likely choose a public health insurance option if it were offered as part of health reform.
Since 2004, private Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have received $43 billion in extra payments, averaging $1,138 per beneficiary. This represents a 34% increase from 2008 payments and raises concerns about the cost-effectiveness of privatization.
A randomized assessment of Mexico's Seguro Popular program reveals a significant reduction in household-crippling expenditure, with poorest individuals benefiting most. The study also introduces innovative approaches to evaluate public policies and provides a validated architecture for delivering health services to the poor.
A Lancet study evaluated Mexico's universal health insurance program, Seguro Popular, in dozens of communities. The experiment found a 23% reduction in catastrophic health expenditures and identified areas for improvement. Researchers suggest this model could inform US healthcare reforms.
A study analyzing nearly 290,000 individuals found that those without health insurance were less likely to regularly seek eye care. Eye disorders have a significant economic impact in the US, estimated at over $51 billion annually.
A comprehensive set of insurance, payment, and system reforms could guarantee affordable health insurance coverage, improve health outcomes, and slow the growth of health spending. The report recommends creating a national insurance exchange, aligning incentives with value and cost control, and promoting patient-centered care.
Only about one-tenth of unemployed workers secure COBRA coverage, leaving millions at risk due to unaffordable premiums. Low-wage workers are disproportionately affected, with limited public coverage options, and policymakers should consider expanding Medicaid eligibility to provide critical support.
The study highlights two countries that effectively cover all but one percent of their population through individual mandates and premium assistance. They also curb high administrative costs, spending about five percent on healthcare compared to seven percent in the US.
Several congressional proposals aim to cover the uninsured through expanded Medicare coverage, building on public programs and group purchase of private insurance. These plans demonstrate that universal coverage can be achieved with little or no additional total health spending.
The Chilean government aims to correct health care inequalities by reforming the dual system that separates public and private coverage. The analysis highlights challenges in achieving common health goals and improving access for low-income populations.
Farm workers' children are three times more likely to be uninsured than all other children, with socio-economic factors playing a significant role in this disparity. The study highlights the need for increased efforts to enroll and retain eligible children in health insurance programs.
Research found that minority children waiting for heart transplants had significantly higher mortality rates than their white counterparts, even after controlling for age, health status, and socioeconomic factors. The study revealed a 60% greater chance of death among black children, a 50% higher mortality rate among Hispanics, and a 1...
Community-based organizations are developing Local Access to Care Programs (LACPs) to provide low-cost healthcare access to growing numbers of uninsured adults. The programs build on county-based care traditions, offering discounted fees or free care from network providers.
States can play a critical role in health care reform by creating insurance exchanges, regulating health insurance plans, and innovating through novel programs. The federal government must also take initiative to achieve sustainable and successful reform, as states alone cannot overcome the substantial barriers to change.
Experts warn that both John McCain's and Barack Obama's healthcare plans will be significantly impacted by the $700 billion bailout. McCain's plan would cut federal insurance for the poor, while Obama's plan proposes expanded coverage with standard benefits. The bailout is expected to diminish prospects for health reform.
A new study finds that millions of children from low- to middle-income families are uninsured, even with one parent having private health insurance. The study highlights the vulnerabilities of these children and the unaffordability of healthcare for many families.
A proposed value-added tax for universal health insurance vouchers would create incentives for cost-containment and health care quality. The plan aims to overhaul the U.S. tax system to achieve fundamental reform of health care, with significant decreases in other taxes.
Despite having a parent with health insurance, approximately 4% of US children and adolescents experience gaps in coverage, leading to significant unmet healthcare needs. The study highlights the need for more comprehensive solutions to keep entire families covered, as the private system often fails to provide adequate coverage.
A study of 429,751 trauma patients found that African American and Hispanic patients had significantly higher death rates compared to white patients. Uninsured patients also had a higher death risk, with mortality rates doubling for African American and Hispanic patients compared to white patients.
China's high out-of-pocket medical expenses hinder its progress in providing adequate health insurance coverage. The country needs to improve health insurance coverage and quality by tackling rising costs and the distribution of funds. Implementing a per-patient-episode system, like South Korea, may help reduce costs.
The Commonwealth Fund report compares Senator McCain and Senator Obama's health reform proposals, revealing divergent approaches to expanding health insurance. While both plans aim to reduce the number of uninsured, their strategies differ: Senator Obama strengthens employer coverage and public programs, while Senator McCain encourages...
A study of 6,746 men and women with heart attacks found that low-income neighborhoods and Medicaid recipients were more likely to experience long or medium delays in reaching the hospital. This delay can hinder effective care and lead to poorer outcomes.
The report finds that working-age Americans are struggling with medical bills, with nearly two-thirds having problems or debt. Many delay or avoid needed care due to cost concerns, with one-third spending 10% or more of their income on out-of-pocket expenses.
A study found that Americans with health insurance are equally likely to access eye care as Canadians, while those without insurance visit less often. Individuals with higher incomes and optional vision insurance tend to use eye care services more frequently.
A new study by the Commonwealth Fund estimates that 25.2 million adults in the US are underinsured, facing high out-of-pocket medical expenses and financial stress. This number has increased by 60% since 2003, with middle and higher-income families hit hardest.
The report found that nearly 60% of employers do not insure dependent children over age 18 or 19, and two-thirds of young adults without coverage go without needed healthcare due to cost. Extending Medicaid and SCHIP eligibility beyond age 18 could cover up to 7.6 million uninsured young adults.
Despite having prior private insurance, new SCHIP enrollees suffer from unmet health care needs. A study by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that only 7% of families switch to SCHIP when they have private insurance options available, and those who do face similar unmet needs.
19 million full-time workers and dependents are uninsured, with 11 million on public programs; public spending increases from $31b to $45b between 1999 and 2004. Low-wage workers face growing gap in health care access and coverage.
A study by the RAND Corporation found that small businesses saw a significant increase in health insurance costs, with those having 25 or fewer employees facing a 30% rise. Despite this, small employers were less likely to abandon the benefit, and instead may have traded off wage increases for the increased cost.
A majority of US physicians now support national health insurance, with significant increases in support across medical specialties. The survey found that nearly every specialty showed an increase in levels of support for national health insurance, with some specialties like psychiatry and emergency medicine seeing major increases.
A two-year study found that glucosamine sulfate was no better than placebo in controlling hip pain and progression of osteoarthritis. In contrast, Taiwan's universal health insurance program showed a small increase in life expectancy among the least healthy population, but with increased utilization and healthcare expenditures.
A study found that 13% of children with asthma were uninsured at some point during the year, leading to increased risk of unmet medical needs and hospitalizations. Children without insurance are 14 times more likely to have an unmet need for medication than those with private insurance.
A survey found that Americans favor keeping employer role in paying for health insurance and believe covering all should be a shared responsibility. The report also evaluates the Presidential candidates' health reform plans, highlighting key differences between Democratic and Republican proposals.
Research confirms connection between job loss and poor health, with those who lose jobs for health reasons experiencing more severe depression and detrimental health outcomes. Reemployment is crucial in improving health outcomes, especially for those who remain unemployed.
A new study found that expanding health coverage to people without it leads to demonstrable improvements in health, particularly for those with heart disease or diabetes. Uninsured adults who gained Medicare coverage had 10 fewer major cardiac complications by age 72 compared to expected.
A recent study by Oregon Health & Science University finds that low-income families face three major barriers to healthcare: lack of insurance coverage, poor access to services, and unaffordable costs. Families with public health insurance often reported feeling unwelcome and having difficulty accessing care due to long travel distances.
The Commonwealth Fund Commission proposes a high-performance health system with guaranteed affordable coverage, aligned incentives, accountable coordinated care, and quality-focused investments. The report outlines specific strategies to contain costs and improve the U.S. health care delivery system.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that adults insured through Mexico's Seguro Popular program are more likely to receive antihypertensive treatment and have their blood pressure controlled than those without health insurance. Insured individuals had a 50% higher odds of receiving antihypertensive treatment, ...
A new report by the Commonwealth Fund Commission recommends a mixed private-public group insurance approach as the most practical way to achieve universal coverage. This strategy shares costs among government, employers, and enrollees, minimizing dislocation for those with existing coverage. The report outlines key principles for refor...
A study published in CANCER found racial differences in the use of breast cancer therapy among African-American and white women. African-Americans were less likely to receive adjuvant cancer therapy, while white women were more likely to take Tamoxifen and have chemotherapy.
The article suggests several policy options to address immigrants' limited access to health care, including expanding health insurance programs and improving language barriers. Researchers emphasize the importance of addressing these vulnerabilities to ensure better health outcomes for this growing segment of the U.S. population.
A new report from The Commonwealth Fund finds that 13.3 million young adults ages 19 to 29 were uninsured in 2005, with many having low incomes and limited access to private coverage.
A new report from The Commonwealth Fund shows that providing minority patients with a 'medical home' can help eliminate racial and ethnic health care disparities. When insured adults have access to regular care and coordination, they are more likely to manage chronic conditions, receive preventive care, and have better health outcomes.
Two new studies find that the uninsured and people with certain types of public health insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced cancer compared to those with private insurance. The strongest predictors of advanced disease were health insurance status and type, according to the studies published in CANCER journal.
A study published by the American College of Physicians found that antipsychotic medication can increase the risk of death in older people with dementia. This conclusion was drawn from a review of existing research and data, highlighting the importance of carefully weighing treatment options for individuals with this condition.
A new survey of health care opinion leaders supports expanding SCHIP to cover legal immigrant children, families with higher incomes, and parents of covered children. The program should also incorporate high-quality health care standards and innovative mechanisms to encourage better care.