Health Costs

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“...the search for a single top issue through polling questions — whether it’s health costs, or gas prices, or the cost of food — is artificial. People worry about and experience these costs together. There is no top issue, unless that issue is the catchall, ‘cost of living.’” — Drew Altman, KFF Founding President and CEO

Are Health Care Costs THE Top Issue for Voters?

In a new column, Dr. Drew Altman, Founding President and CEO, analyzes the polling on health costs as a voting issue and concludes that there is no one top voting issue. He writes: “I have come to the conclusion that the search for a single top issue through polling questions—whether it’s health costs, or gas prices, or the cost of food—is artificial. People worry about and experience these costs together. There is no top issue, unless that issue is the catchall, “cost of living.”

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  • Summary of Coverage Provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

    Issue Brief

    This short summary describes the health coverage provisions contained in the final version of the Affordable Care Act signed into law in March 2010, including the individual mandate requirements, expansion of public programs, health insurance exchanges, changes to private insurance and employer requirements.

  • Health Affairs Article: The Growth In Cost Per Case Explains Far More Of US Health Spending Increases Than Rising Disease Prevalence

    Report

    Health Affairs Article: The Growth In Cost Per Case Explains Far More Of U.S. Health Spending Increases Than Rising Disease Prevalence This article examines national health spending across an all-inclusive set of diagnostic categories and medical conditions between 1996 and 2006, focusing on trends in cost of care per case and treated prevalence—or, the number of people receiving treatment for a particular condition. It also presents initial estimates of the impact of clinical prevalence on…

  • Pulling it Together: The Most Popular Provision in the ACA?

    Perspective

    In our most recent monthly tracking poll, we asked the American people what elements of the health reform law they like and dislike. Surprisingly, the runaway favorite was a relatively obscure requirement that health plans provide consumers with a short, easy to understand description of their benefits and coverage. Sixty percent of the American people gave this requirement for greater transparency in health insurance benefits a very favorable rating, the only provision in the law…

  • Health Care Costs in the U.S.: The Role of Prices and Volume

    Event Date:
    Event

    The Alliance for Health Reform and several cosponsors held the first event in a three-part series of discussions on costs, the factors driving them up and what (if anything) can be done about them. This briefing and others in the series take an in-depth look at a select few of the most often cited health care cost drivers. This briefing focuses on the extent to which health care prices, and the volume of services delivered,…

  • Section 4: Health Insurance Choice

    Report

    Exhibit 4.1 Exhibit 4.6 Exhibit 4.2 Exhibit 4.7 Exhibit 4.3 Exhibit 4.8 Exhibit 4.4 Exhibit 4.9 Exhibit 4.5 Exhibit 4.10 5Survey respondents were asked whether the firm offers a personal or health savings account, including a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) or other type of health savings account option. 6There are several savings account options permitted under the law, including health reimbursement arrangements, health savings accounts and medical savings accounts. 7Due to the low number of…

  • Implementation of Managed Care Consumer Protections in Missouri, New Jersey, Texas and Vermont Overview

    Report

    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…

  • Health Care Information in California: Who Collects It? Who Needs It? — Issue Brief

    Issue Brief

    A 2-page issue brief about the collection and use of health care information for California's public health, health care and managed care systems. The issue brief includes a brief outline of the kind of health care information that is currently being collected at both the state and national level to support policy development, government oversight, and consumer education. The Issue Brief lists Roundtable participants for a Roundtable Event: Tuesday, November 30, 1999 - 1:00-4:00 PM,…

  • Individuals With Disabilities and their Experiences with Medicaid Managed Care

    Report

    Today, one out of every four disabled Medicaid beneficiaries receives health care through managed care. This Background Paper provides insights into how Medicaid managed care is working for individuals with disabilities, based on the findings from seven focus groups held in Florida and New Mexico. The key findings show that adults and children with disabilities feel alone in managing their health care and that important components of managed care - coordination and gatekeeping role that…

  • Recent Tax Proposals to Increase Health Insurance Coverage

    Other Post

    This report includes a side-by-side analysis of recent tax proposals by Members of Congress and various health organizations designed to increase the number of individuals with private health insurance coverage. Recent Tax Proposals To Increase Health Insurance Coverage