Filling the need for trusted information on national health issues
Health Costs
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
Tracking Poll
Majorities Favor Government Negotiations and Other Action to Lower Drug Prices
Large majorities across parties favor a range of actions to lower drug prices, including government negotiations with drug makers, though common counterarguments can dampen support.
NEw & Noteworthy
- Employer Health
Employer Survey Finds Average Family Premiums Top $20,000
The 2019 Employer Health Benefits Survey finds annual family premiums for employer health insurance rose 5% to average $20,576 this year. On average, workers pay $6,015 toward the cost. - Medical Loss Ratio
Private Insurers Are Expected to Pay a Record of At least $1.3 Billion in Rebates
This analysis estimates insurers this year will issue a record of at least $1.3 billion in medical loss ratio rebates across all insurance markets this year. - Tracking Poll
Out-of-Pocket Costs and Pre-Existing Conditions Are Public’s Top Health Priorities
The public’s top health priorities for Congress include lowering drug costs, keeping the ACA’s pre-existing condition protections, and reducing what people out-of-pocket for health care.
- out of network
How Often Do Consumers Get Hit with Surprise Medical Bills?
This analysis examines how often patients get hit with surprise medical bills, the circumstances behind them, and proposals being considered to protect consumers. - interactive
National Health Spending Explorer
Explore up-to-date information on U.S. health spending by federal and local governments, private companies, and individuals. - National Spending
How do Health Expenditures Vary Across the Population?
This analysis explores variations in health spending and finds that the 5% of Americans with the highest spending account for almost half of all spending. - INTERACTIVE
Household Health Spending Calculator
This interactive tool highlights how much Americans spend on health based on family size, income level, insurance source, and health status.
Research and Polling
- Polling
Data Note: Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs
This summarizes our recent polling on the public’s experiences with and worries about health care costs. - High COST PLAN TAX
How Many Employers Could be Affected by the Cadillac Tax?
This analysis estimates the ACA’s high cost plan tax, or Cadillac Tax, would affect 21% of employers in 2022 if the tax takes effect as now scheduled. - KFF/Los Angeles Times
Survey of Adults with Employer-Sponsored Insurance
This survey explores people’s attitudes and experiences with employer-sponsored health insurance, including premiums, deductibles, and surprise bills. - ACA Marketplaces
How Affordable are 2019 ACA Premiums for Middle-Income People?
This analysis finds that ACA marketplace premiums are least affordable for older adults who earn too much to qualify for subsidies. - KHN/NPR Investigation
Bill of the Month Feature
This crowd-sourced series dissects medical bills every month to shed light on health care prices and to help patients learn how to be more active in managing costs.
