Articles tagged with Health Insurance
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.
A new report by the National Women's Law Center finds that women are more likely to struggle with medical bills and go without needed care due to high healthcare costs. The report also highlights a gender gap in health coverage, with more women than men facing underinsurance or uninsured status.
Teens who receive state health insurance through programs like Child Health Plus see improved access to care, reduced racial disparities, and increased preventive services. The program eliminates disparities in care among adolescents, bringing the percentage of all teens seeking care with the same healthcare professionals up to 95%.
A study found that individuals without health insurance are more likely to forego routine physical exams and have a higher risk of unawareness of high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels. Hypertension is the most powerful risk factor for stroke, and those without insurance had poorly controlled hypertension.
A recent report by Brandeis University reveals that health insurance fails to provide financial protection for millions of Americans, leading to widespread debt and access problems. The study highlights the need for clearer rules and standards of accountability for health insurers.
Current Congressional proposals could significantly reduce the number of uninsured Americans and decrease overall healthcare expenditures. Representative Stark's AmeriCare proposal would cover nearly all of the uninsured as well as strengthen employer-based health insurance, reducing overall health spending by $60.7 billion.
A new Commonwealth Fund study highlights the importance of comprehensive well-child health services in preparing children for school and helping determine their future success. States are urged to preserve and expand Medicaid's Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program to ensure access to high-quality preven...
A USC study found that Healthy Kids coalitions in 28 California counties linked 85,000 kids with health insurance coverage. The success of these coalitions was attributed to diverse stakeholder groups and strong leadership.
A large-scale study by Johns Hopkins University found that individuals with genetic conditions are more likely to report being denied health insurance than those with other chronic illnesses. Nearly 60% of participants believed their insurance company could access medical information without permission.
A nationwide study found that despite high insurance coverage rates, many individuals with MS struggle financially due to unaffordable healthcare costs. The study revealed a significant proportion of participants made lifestyle changes, skipped medication doses, or went without essential necessities to pay for healthcare needs.
A world health insurance scheme could address shared responsibility and progressive realization issues, providing a framework for rich states to assist poor states. The proposed model is based on the Global Fund's success in securing long-term funding for health interventions.
A UCLA study found that most homeless youths sought healthcare for sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive health, regardless of their housing situation. The study also showed that males who remained homeless were more likely to seek emergency room treatment for traumatic injuries.
A new study reveals that a public-designed health insurance plan can be fair and affordable for the uninsured, costing two-thirds of the average cost in California. The plan prioritizes coverage for chronic diseases and basic care, while making trade-offs to avoid high co-pays and deductibles.
Employers covering over 90% of the nation's workforce see health benefits as a crucial factor in attracting and retaining top talent. Many firms are open to sharing the cost of health insurance and supporting incremental reforms aimed at expanding coverage, improving quality, and reducing administrative expenses.
A study reveals that younger stroke survivors (under 65) struggle with accessing physicians and affording medications due to lack of health insurance. These individuals are at higher risk for recurrence and increased long-term healthcare utilization.
A growing concern among Americans is the rising cost of healthcare and access to medical services. The Lancet editorial calls for a comprehensive solution to address these issues, with a focus on improving the healthcare system for all Americans.
A new report from the Commonwealth Fund finds that nearly nine of 10 individuals who seek individual market health insurance are unable to secure coverage due to unaffordability or pre-existing conditions. Those with high-deductible plans face significant cost burdens, including higher out-of-pocket expenses and increased medical debt.
Mexico's health system reform has led to significant improvements in healthcare access and outcomes, with notable reductions in malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and child mortality. The reforms have also increased the use of mammography and pap smear tests, benefiting millions of people.
A study found that uninsured Latino children are more likely to have no regular physician and not receive needed medical care due to expense, lack of insurance, or cultural barriers. Parental non-citizenship, low family income, and older child age were associated with being uninsured in Latino children.
Two-fifths of US adults report experiencing unsafe, wasteful, or poorly coordinated healthcare. This is a significant concern, as three-quarters of adults advocate fundamental changes in the healthcare system.
A study by Dahlia Remler and Sherry Glied found that Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) may not reduce healthcare spending for the lowest and biggest spenders. In fact, cost-sharing increases for mid-range spenders, while tax subsidies benefit higher-income individuals disproportionately.
A recent study by Baicker and Chandra found that a 20% increase in health insurance premiums would reduce the probability of employment by 2.4 percentage points, equivalent to approximately 3.5 million workers. As healthcare costs rise, workers may accept lower wages for costlier health insurance.
A study of 295 children with JRA found that Medicaid recipients had higher disease activity, more pain, and lower physical function compared to those with private insurance. The reasons for these disparities are not yet clear, but may be linked to non-treatment-related factors such as poverty and adherence to treatment.
Young adults are the fastest growing group of uninsured, with nearly 14 million lacking health coverage. They face significant health and financial risks, including delayed or foregone medical care due to cost concerns.
Employees in small firms pay 18% more for health insurance due to higher administrative costs and lower negotiated rates with insurers. States with urban populations tend to have better-adjusted premiums, while rural states face higher costs.
Uninsured adults are less likely to receive preventive services and treatment for chronic illnesses compared to insured adults. Higher-income uninsured individuals also exhibit decreased use of recommended healthcare services, suggesting that lack of insurance is not solely associated with lower-income populations.
A new survey reveals that one in five working-age adults is paying off medical debt, while nearly two-thirds of those with chronic illnesses skip medications due to cost. The uninsured are also more likely to go without preventive care, screenings, and regular doctors, exacerbating existing health problems.
A new study comparing healthcare systems in Australia and the US found that young patients are more likely to survive cancer in Australia due to universal health insurance. The US system, which relies on private insurance, leads to a higher mortality rate among teenagers and young adults.
A study examining six years of data from the National Health Interview Survey found that SCHIP implementation increased the use of dental services by 49.5% and reduced unmet dental needs by 21.2% among low-income children. These effects resulted in a measurable improvement in access to dental care for the entire low-income population.
The State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) has improved asthma care for low-income children in New York, resulting in fewer attacks and emergency room visits. SCHIP has increased access to necessary medications, preventative care, and affordable healthcare services.
A state-wide report reveals that nearly two-thirds of Kansas respondents had medical debt, affecting all racial and ethnic groups. People drew on savings, borrowed from friends, or took out loans to pay off their bills, despite struggling to meet the financial burden.
A new national study found that 46% of working families have medical debt, which hinders access to housing and home ownership. The study also revealed that those with health insurance still face housing difficulties, with one-fifth reporting housing problems.
A national study found that 80% of US adults would pay an extra $3-$6 per month for health insurance to cover newly recommended vaccines. This trend has left millions underinsured, but the study suggests innovative ways to structure plans to improve coverage.
A network of non-profit groups in California is providing critical assistance to low-income consumers struggling with insurance problems, resolving 62% of issues. The Health Consumer Alliance helps consumers choose coverage, navigate public programs, and reduces costs, morbidity, and litigation
eDocAmerica has launched a Spanish version of its website to cater to the growing needs of its Hispanic clients. The new platform provides secure access to board-certified physicians and a range of online health information tools.
A large-scale study shows that flu vaccination is highly effective in reducing severe end points such as deaths and hospitalizations among high-risk persons of working age. The vaccine benefits people of any age with high-risk medical conditions, not just the elderly.
States are finding alternative routes to expand health insurance coverage, including new revenue sources and private-sector partnerships. Medicaid's role is being reevaluated to make programs more affordable and sustainable, with a focus on addressing underlying cost increases and increasing access for vulnerable populations.
A study by Harvard Medical School and Harvard Law School found that illness and medical bills contribute to at least 46.2% of all bankruptcy filings, with families often facing unaffordable co-payments and lost income from prolonged illnesses.
The Iowa report found that nearly one in eight children were without health insurance at some point in 2000, with 90,000 children uninsured annually. The study also revealed that many eligible children were not enrolled in Medicaid or hawk-i programs due to inadequate enrollment.
Researchers found that physical inactivity leads to higher medical costs, with heart disease being the most expensive outcome. The study estimated $83.6 million in medical expenditures related to physical inactivity among 1.5 million adult members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.
A study of 24,411 US child appendectomies found racial disparities in rupture rates, with Asian and black children at higher risk. The rate improved with hospital volume, but health insurance status also played a significant role in appendix rupture likelihood.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is addressing concerns about unethical medical expert witnesses. The society has created a document that calls for expert witnesses to affirm their expertise and provide truthful testimony based on industry standards.
The study found that even insured individuals recognize and are willing to accept tradeoffs between having more generous benefits and having coverage for all. Insured citizens deliberated on this issue, voicing sophisticated arguments for and against giving up some of their benefits to include the uninsured.
A new study by Michigan Medicine suggests that insured individuals are willing to make sacrifices to help cover the costs of the uninsured. When given the opportunity to discuss their concerns and priorities in a group setting, many participants chose to cover both adults and children, with 76% opting for some form of coverage. The res...
A study by Michigan Medicine found that over 5.7 million low-income children experience a transition in their health insurance each year, leading to postponed doctor visits and prescriptions. The study highlights the need for consistent coverage and minimized barriers to ensure these children receive needed care.
A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that infants born over the weekend had a slightly elevated risk of stillbirth and neonatal death compared to those born on weekdays. The researchers suggested that selective timing of low-risk elective deliveries may explain this difference.
The authors argue that genetic testing poses no new ethical issues compared to existing practices, but the inconsistency in disclosure of results is unjustifiable. Genetic tests may soon be linked to lifestyle and future health, making them inappropriate for premium assessment if not disclosed equally.
A nationwide survey of US physicians found that 49% support national health insurance, while 40% oppose it. The study also revealed growing discontent among employers and the general public regarding the current healthcare system.
A substantial proportion of U.S. doctors support national health insurance, with 49% backing government-led legislation and 40% opposing it. Mammography screening is found to be cost-effective for women aged 65-80 with no serious health conditions, reducing death at reasonable cost.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that major depression was most prevalent among Hispanics, followed by African Americans and whites. The odds of depressive disorders were significantly higher among older Hispanics due to caregiving responsibilities.