The number of Americans without health insurance rose to 45 million in 2003, an increase of 1.4 million. But the increase was not as bad as many had feared in last year?s sluggish economy, rising by only 0.4 percent. The biggest decline was among those with job-based health insurance where coverage fell 0.9 percent. In 2002, 61.3 percent of Americans had job-based insurance; in 2003, the number … [Read more...] about The Uninsured
Archives for August 2004
Rapid Acceleration in HSA Activity
IN THIS ISSUE: ? UnitedHealth Reports "Rapid Acceleration" in HSA Activity ? Baltimore Sun - Workers Need More Control Over Health Insurance ? HSAs Give Consumers More Control over Medical Care ? The Pasternacks in New York Opt Not to Choose HSA ? The Wilders in Wisconsin Opt in Favor of HSAs ? The Phillips in Texas Also Choose HSAs ? Iowa Businesses Support HSAs ? Newt Gingrich Supports … [Read more...] about Rapid Acceleration in HSA Activity
Rapid Acceleration in HSA Activity
IN THIS ISSUE: ? UnitedHealth Reports "Rapid Acceleration" in HSA Activity ? Baltimore Sun - Workers Need More Control Over Health Insurance ? HSAs Give Consumers More Control over Medical Care ? The Pasternacks in New York Opt Not to Choose HSA ? The Wilders in Wisconsin Opt in Favor of HSAs ? The Phillips in Texas Also Choose HSAs ? Iowa Businesses Support HSAs ? Newt Gingrich … [Read more...] about Rapid Acceleration in HSA Activity
How Consumer-Driven Health Care Evolves in a Dynamic Market
Greg Scandlen of the Galen Institute offers his commentary on a collection of research papers documenting early experiences with consumer-driven health care. Scandlen emphasizes that ?consumerism in health care is in its infancy? and the market is ?in a period of experimentation and trial and error.? He notes that it?s just as important to study mistakes and missteps as successes ?as a welcome … [Read more...] about How Consumer-Driven Health Care Evolves in a Dynamic Market
How Consumer-Driven Health Care Evolves in a Dynamic Market
Greg Scandlen of the Galen Institute offers his commentary on a collection of research papers documenting early experiences with consumer-driven health care. Scandlen emphasizes that ?consumerism in health care is in its infancy? and the market is ?in a period of experimentation and trial and error.? He notes that it?s just as important to study mistakes and missteps as successes ?as a welcome … [Read more...] about How Consumer-Driven Health Care Evolves in a Dynamic Market
Bringing Rational Payment Structures to Cancer Treatment under Medicare
The new Medicare legislation enacted in December, 2003, continues to draw fire for its cost and structure, but the blanket criticism misses many of the important and necessary improvements it contains. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) contains critical changes to fix problems with the program, changes that get into the hardwiring of Medicare?s … [Read more...] about Bringing Rational Payment Structures to Cancer Treatment under Medicare
Awaiting the Numbers
The U.S. Census Bureau is expected to announce this coming Thursday its estimates of the number of people who didn?t have health insurance in 2003. The number almost certainly will be higher than the 43.8 million estimate for 2002, and it will equally be certain to add more fuel on the political debate over how to reduce the numbers. Dan Crippen, former director of the Congressional Budget … [Read more...] about Awaiting the Numbers
Bringing Rational Payment Structures to Cancer Treatment under Medicare
The new Medicare legislation enacted in December, 2003, continues to draw fire for its cost and structure, but the blanket criticism misses many of the important and necessary improvements it contains. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) contains critical changes to fix problems with the program, changes that get into the hardwiring of Medicare?s … [Read more...] about Bringing Rational Payment Structures to Cancer Treatment under Medicare