Democrats' reform proposals would attempt to expand health coverage to uninsured middle and low-income families with new premiums to help buy insurance plans, Kaiser Health News reports. But for many families, those efforts may not go far enough.
"Under the House proposal, people receiving government subsidies could still end up spending 20 percent or more of their annual incomes on premiums, deductibles and co-insurance, according to estimates prepared by the House Committee on Ways and Means, and obtained by Kaiser Health News," according to the report.
How To Make The Most Of Expiring Health Coverage
Major health insurers have seen their medical costs rise in recent quarters, in part because people covered by employer-sponsored plans have rushed to use services before their benefits are cut off.
Major health insurers have seen their medical costs rise in recent quarters, in part because people covered by employer-sponsored plans have rushed to use services before their benefits are cut off.
The hope is that the subsidies, and other changes to insurance policy, will make coverage affordable for millions of the uninsured who are currently priced out of coverage. But, there is no existing consensus on what affordable coverage really means.
Some economists say most people who earn around three times the poverty level - or $32,000 for individuals - can afford coverage, and those who don't have insurance should therefore be able to buy it. However, studies show that people with low-incomes must often make significant cuts in other areas to afford insurance, and find they are unable to cover their expenses. The large deductibles associated with the plans they can afford may encourage them to postpone care or go without treatment (Rau, 9/4).
National Health Care Reform Could be Funded by Private and Public Insurance Choices
A new report from The Commonwealth Fund projects has revealed that including both private and public insurance choices in a new insurance exchange would be a feasible alternative
A new report from The Commonwealth Fund projects has revealed that including both private and public insurance choices in a new insurance exchange would be a feasible alternative
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Tightening The Belt For Health Reform
Kaiser Health News asks: If health care reform has to be put on a diet to pass this year, how much must the proposal slim down? And officials are already considering the possible cuts.
Kaiser Health News asks: If health care reform has to be put on a diet to pass this year, how much must the proposal slim down? And officials are already considering the possible cuts.
House Democrats Investigating Whether Insurers Unfairly Drop Small Business Coverage
Rep. Henry Waxman sent letters Monday to insurers seeking information on how they decide coverage for small businesses after alleging that they drop coverage for smaller firms whose employees get ill.
Rep. Henry Waxman sent letters Monday to insurers seeking information on how they decide coverage for small businesses after alleging that they drop coverage for smaller firms whose employees get ill.
