This study goes beyond the legislative debates over expanded patients’ rights to explore how managed care consumer protections have actually been implemented in four states (Missouri, New Jersey, Texas & Vermont) all of which have been active in this area. The study describes the details of the reforms, the issues that have arisen in implementation, and the lessons for policymakers from the experiences of these states. The Full Report (document #1518) is available on-line.

• Executive Summary

This report compares Medicare and private health insurance per capita spending between 1970 and 1997, demonstrating that Medicare has done better or as well as the private sector in controlling the growth in health spending. Using National Health Expenditure accounts data, the analysis reveals the cumulative increase in per capita health care spending was lower for Medicare than the private sector between 1970 and 1997. Medicare most likely maintained its cumulative advantage, due to the success of cost-cutting measures implemented in the 1980’s. However, the report suggests that per capita health spending may begin to rise at a faster rate under Medicare than in the private sector because of: (1) the growing role of technology in diagnosing and treating older patients; and (2) the aging of the Medicare population and higher than average Medicare expenditures among the growing, oldest cohort.

• Report

Managed Care and Low-Income Populations: Four Years’ Experience with TennCare

This report updates an earlier study of Tennessee’s experience with restructuring their Medicaid programs. It is one of a series of reports from The Kaiser/ Commonwealth Low-Income Coverage and Access Project. This project examines how changes in the Medicaid program have affected health insurance coverage and access to care for the low-income population in eight states: California, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas.

Report (.pdf)

This study goes beyond the legislative debates over expanded patients’ rights to explore how managed care consumer protections have actually been implemented in four states (Missouri, New Jersey, Texas & Vermont) all of which have been active in this area. The study describes the details of the reforms, the issues that have arisen in implementation, and the lessons for policymakers from the experiences of these states. An Overview/Executive summary of the full report is also available.

• Report
• Executive Summary

Reality Check: South Africans’ Views of the New South AfricaA Report on a National Survey of the South Africa People, 1999

Reality Check is a joint project of the Henry J.Kaiser Family Foundation and Independent Newspapers. It is based on a national representative survey conducted face to face with 3,000 South Africans in November and December of 1998. Its purpose was to give South Africans a way to talk about their feelings on the new South Africa beyond the vote they would cast at the ballot box in the June 1999 election. The survey explores South Africans’ perceptions of democracy, their assessment of the transition years, and their atttiudes toward the future. The survey also sought to shed light on how South Africans think and feel about race, reconciliation, and natural unity; and about issues like the economy, crime, education and health. The survey was reported in Independent Newspapers from April 19 to April 23, 1999 with a special supplement of the findings reported on April 28, 1999. In addtion to the national survey the study included interviews with members of Parliament. This report summarizes the key findings from the national survey of South Africans and their political leaders in Parliament.

• Report

This report looks at the different ways in which liability is handled in a number of industries, and explores how these models might apply to health plans. The report also discusses health plan liability in the context of the ongoing Consumer Protection debate.

• Report: Models for Health Plan Liability

The 2nd Annual Kaiser Family Foundation National Household Survey of approximately 4,000 South African households measures changes since the first survey (in 1998) in key demographics, public health, and health status indicators. The survey also establishes data on access to health care and factors affecting access, such as the cost of transport, waiting time, etc., as well as patient satisfaction with the quality of care.

• Report

This report focuses on Oregon’s experience in moving their disabled Medicaid beneficiaries into managed care. It is one of a series of reports from The Kaiser/Commonwealth Low-Income Coverage and Access Project. This project examines how changes in the Medicaid program have affected health insurance coverage and access to care for hte low-income population in eight states: California, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas.

• Report

Although Medicare is a national program, there are substantial variations across states and regions in terms of beneficiary characteristics, health needs, and utilization of Medicare-covered services. Likewise, there are also considerable differences in Medicare spending and the emergence of Medicare managed care. In a single resource document, , presents state-by-state demographic data on the Medicare population, along with information on health service utilization, spending, and Medicare HMO penetration. It also provides regional data on the distribution of beneficiaries by poverty level, self-reported health status, and insurance coverage.

• Chartbook

This report updates an earlier study of Oregon’s experience with restructuring their Medicaid programs. It is one of a series of reports from The Kaiser/Commonwealth Low-Income Coverage and Access Project. This project examines how changes in the Medicaid Program have affected health insurance coverage and access to care for the low-income population in eight states: Maryland, California, Florida, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas.

• Report