Complexity in Our Health Care System is the Enemy of Access and Affordability October 26, 2023 Perspective In this JAMA Health Forum column, KFF’s Drew Altman and Larry Levitt examine how the complexity of the health care system – with all of its red tape – can be as big a problem for patients as the traditional big three problems of costs, quality and access.
Health-Care Deductibles Climbing Out of Reach March 11, 2015 Perspective In this column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman explores the trend of higher deductibles in health plans and discusses a new analysis showing that many people with private insurance don’t have sufficient financial resources to pay a mid- or high-range deductible.
The Uncertain Future of Policies to Promote Access and Affordability Put in Place During the COVID-19 Pandemic May 19, 2022 Perspective In this column for the JAMA Health Forum, Larry Levitt highlights four changes implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic that helped to make health care more accessible and affordable and the prospects for those changes to telehealth, COVID-19 coverage, Medicaid and marketplace premiums continuing beyond the pandemic’s end.
Surprise Medical Bills are Ending, But Controversy Continues January 20, 2022 Perspective In this column for the JAMA Health Forum, Larry Levitt examines how the No Surprises Act that prohibits unexpected out-of-network charges for patients could lead to lower payment rates and revenues for some doctors and other care providers.
Surprise Bills Often Hit in Emergencies December 9, 2019 Perspective In an Axios column, Drew Altman previews new data highlighting that people with critical health issues are especially vulnerable to these bills.
The Connection Between Health Coverage and Income Security August 3, 2015 Perspective In this column in The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman shows how expanding health coverage and improving economic security for working Americans are connected even though they are often part of separate policy debates.
The Republicans’ Jekyll-and-Hyde Health Care Plan June 22, 2017 Perspective In this New York Times op-ed, “The Republicans’ Jekyll-and-Hyde Health Care Plan,” Drew Altman examines the Senate health plan.
No, Medicaid Isn’t Broken May 15, 2017 Perspective With Medicaid about to be a focal point of debate in the Senate, Drew Altman’s Axios column looks at why the idea that the program is broken is more urban legend than fact.
In Employer Health Insurance Costs, Stability Is the New Normal September 12, 2014 Perspective In his latest column for The Wall Street Journal’s Think Tank, Drew Altman looks at the sharply slower growth in premiums for employer health benefits and what it might mean for the future of employer-sponsored coverage.
Corporate Leaders Are Getting Bullish On Government Action On Health Care Costs April 29, 2021 Perspective In this Axios column, Drew Altman explores whether the long struggle with rising health costs has caused the tide to turn in corporate leaders’ attitudes towards government involvement in controlling health spending and whether it is part of a larger shift in comfort with government action to solve problems.