COBRA Coverage for Low-Income Unemployed Workers
Summarizes the COBRA health coverage law, how it is administered, what its limitations are, and how it impacts low-income workers. Fact Sheet
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Summarizes the COBRA health coverage law, how it is administered, what its limitations are, and how it impacts low-income workers. Fact Sheet
Survey on Consumer Experiences with Health Plans A Kaiser Family Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health survey found that more than six in ten privately insured American adults under age 65 give their health plans a grade of A or B, but nearly half report having some type of problem with their health plan in the last year with a range of consequences for the consumer. The survey found strong support for the right-to-sue a health…
The Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard School of Public Health monitored consumer experiences with managed care and attitudes toward alternative consumer protection approaches. This Public Opinion Update summarizes key findings from surveys conducted between 1997 and 2001, a period in which the intensity of public debate and media attention paid to managed care issues varied substantially. Public Opinion Update (PDF)
A report focusing on the circumstances facing selected safety net hospitals in five major metropolitian areas around the United States, and their responses in the context of the market conditions they face. Report
This guide, prepared by Stephanie Lewis, JD, MHSA for the Kaiser Family Foundation, explores key issues in the Congressional debate over a federal patients bill of rights.
A national survey of employers, released jointly by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust, found that smaller employers (3 to 199 employees) are significantly more likely than larger employers (200 or more employers) to support a person's right to sue a health plan, and somewhat more likely to support the right to appeal a health plan's decision to an independent reviewer. Two-thirds (67%) of smaller employers express support for the…
Since Texas enacted the first law explicitly authorizing suits by enrollees in health plans offered by managed care organizations (MCOs) and other insurers, several other states have adopted similar legislation. This report, prepared by Patricia Butler, J.D., Dr.Ph., for the Kaiser Family Foundation, briefly describes the key features of these state laws, legal challenges that have been raised to some of them, and early experiences in states whose laws are in effect. The key features…
This report documents the findings of a study examining access to health insurance coverage in the individual market for people with health problems. Seven hypothetical consumers with varying health conditions were defined and insurers and HMOs in eight different markets around the country were asked to consider them as though they were real consumers applying for coverage. Renewed debate over proposals to expand coverage for the uninsured using tax credits for the purchase of individual…
How Accessible is Individual Health Insurance for Consumers in Less-Than-Perfect Health? This report documents the findings of a study examining access to health insurance coverage in the individual market for people with health problems. Seven hypothetical consumers with varying health conditions were defined and insurers and HMOs in eight different markets around the country were asked to consider them as though they were real consumers applying for coverage. Executive Summary (.pdf) Full Report
A new chart book examines Fiscal Year 2002 budget proposals by President Bush and Congress, focusing on their impact on health programs. It provides both an examination of how health care programs fit into the overall U.S. budget and a review of past budget trends and future projections for government health care programs. Chartbook
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