The Distributional Consequences of a Medicare Premium Support Proposal

This article analyzes the expected distributional impact of enacting a premium support proposal for Medicare based on legislation introduced by Sen. Breaux and Sen. Frist in 1999. This legislation suggested that the Federal Employees Health Benefits plan be used as a model for Medicare. The article simulates impacts in three areas: among beneficiaries who choose to retain fee-for-service coverage, between different geographic areas, and according to various beneficiary characteristics. Finally, the article discusses how results from this study would compare to those that may occur under the premium support demonstration project, beginning in 2010, established under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.

The Distributional Consequences of a Medicare premium Support Proposal (.pdf)

This research was funded by the Kaiser Family Foundation and is presented here courtesy of the Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law.

Complete Survey Toplines for the Kaiser Health Poll Report: 2004

The Kaiser Health Poll Report is designed to provide key tracking information on public opinion about health care topics to journalists, policymakers and the general public.

January/February

March/April

May/June

July/August

September/October

November/December

This policy brief, prepared by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the George Washington University Center for Health Services Research and Policy, examines the opportunities and challenges associated with the delivery of HIV prevention services in, or closely linked to, the clinical care setting. It focuses on two of the major public programs for HIV care in the U.S., Medicaid and the Ryan White CARE Act. The brief assesses the extent to which current law allows the provision of prevention within these programs and examines current practice. It also outlines several options for research, technical assistance, and policy that could serve to enhance opportunities for integration of HIV prevention and care.

Policy Brief (.pdf)

A summary of Latino experiences and opinions regarding access to health care in the District of Columbia, this brief also contrasts the experiences of Latinos in the District of Columbia with those of Latinos nationally.

Report (.pdf)

This survey documents the increasing costs of retiree benefits for both large private-sector employers and their retirees. It also provides an early look at the response of large employers to the Medicare prescription drug law and the subsidies it provides for maintaining retiree drug coverage.

Download Full Report (.pdf)

Chartpack (.pdf)

The Impact of Medicaid Reductions in Oregon: Focus Group Insights

Oregon is one state that has significantly restructured its Medicaid program, known as the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), in response to budget pressures. As part of these changes, it has implemented significant benefit reductions and increased premiums and cost sharing in it’s program for poor parents and other adults. This report presents findings from five focus groups conducted of current and former enrollees in Oregon’s health programs in an effort to see how the changes have affected individuals.

Report (.pdf)

In August 2004, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services published a proposed rule to implement the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Title I of the Medicare Modernization Act). Given the high level of interest in the proposed rules for implementing the Medicare drug benefit, the Kaiser Family Foundation commissioned Health Policy Alternatives, Inc. to prepare this summary of the proposed regulations.

Issue Brief (.pdf)

Waiting lists are a reality of state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs), which rely on specific federal appropriations, or capped funding, each year. Capped funding determines ADAP’s income eligibility criteria, the number of drugs in the formulary, and the number of people who can be served. This fact sheet provides an overview of ADAP waiting lists based on an analysis of data collected by the National ADAP Monitoring Project between July 2002 and November 2004, which includes the implementation of the $20 million ADAP Initiative.

Fact Sheet (.pdf)

This document includes the toplines from a survey exploring the attitudes and experiences of the Asian community in the Bay Area, which has the largest Asian population in the country. The Kaiser Family Foundation and San Jose Mercury News collaborated on the survey.

Survey Toplines (.pdf)

Current Trends and Future Outlook for Retiree Health Benefits: Findings from the Kaiser/Hewitt 2004 Survey on Retiree Health Benefits

A new survey of large employers finds businesses and retirees experienced double-digit increase in retiree health costs, with further increases expected in 2005. The survey also includes an early look at employers’ responses to the new Medicare drug law.

News Release

Report – Interactive online version and downloadable chapters

Chartpack

Materials From the December 14, 2004 Briefing:

Agenda (.pdf)

Audio Webcast

Speaker Biographies (.pdf)