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

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

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 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

A new survey conducted by National Public Radio/Kaiser Family Foundation/Kennedy School of Government looks at Americans’ views on public schools and education. The survey finds strong support across the board for many improvements, even if it means paying higher taxes. The survey also finds that parents generally are enthusiastic about their children’s schools but believe other schools in their community aren’t as good and schools across the nation are even worse. The survey findings are based on nationwide telephone interviews with 1,422 adults, 18 years or older (570 are parents and 852 are non-parents) between June 25 and July 19, 1999.

• Topline

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 analyzes supplemental benefits offered and premiums charged by Medicare HMOs nationwide in 1999, assessing the generosity of selected benefits, including prescription drugs. The study finds that the level of monthly premiums charged by Medicare HMOs, and the generosity of many supplemental benefits, especially prescription drugs, vary widely within and across markets. The study also finds that variations in benefits offered by Medicare HMOs can expose beneficiaries to complex choices and have a significant impact on out-of-pocket expenses for seniors.

• Report:

This report examines Medicaid eligibility policies and operations in five states – California, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota and Wisconsin – following initial changes introduced by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 and the new Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The study findings suggest that eligibility policy expansions alone may not prevent Medicaid enrollment declines. The report discusses several problem areas affecting Medicaid eligibility and enrollment operations including challenges in severing Medicaid and welfare, complex rules and procedures, and systems and communication inadequacy.

Health News Index July/August, 1999

The July/August 1999 edition of the Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard Health News Index includes questions about major health stories covered in the news, including questions about the White House Medicare Proposal and the Patients’ Bill of Rights. The survey is based on a national random sample of 1,000 Americans conducted August 6-10, 1999 which measures public knowledge of health stories covered by news media during the previous month. The Health News Index is designed to help the news media and people in the health field gain a better understanding of which health stories in the news Americans are following and what they understand about those health issues. Every two months, Kaiser/Harvard issues a new index report.

• HNI July-August 1999
• Topline/Survey