Health News
- Four Gifts The Affordable Care Act Has Given Americans By Its Fourth Birthday
On March 23, 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) turned four. In its relatively short life, the ACA has already accomplished a great deal. To celebrate, here?s a list of the top four gifts that the ACA has given to the American people:1. No More Pre-existing...
- The Affordable Care Act: Helping The "young Invincibles"
Just who are these ?young invincibles?? The term describes young adults between the ages of 18-29 who may seem uninterested in health insurance and believe they can afford to go without coverage? and are therefore, ?invincible?. Unfortunately,...
- Ages 55-64 And Uninsured...where Can We Go For Help?
The number of people without health insurance in the United States has increased steadily over the last several years, from 43 million in 2007 to 49 million in 2010. Individuals between the ages of 55 and 64 make up 11% of this uninsured population. This...
- Health Reform's Best-kept Secret
The Basic Health Program could bring more affordable, more reliable coverage to millions of adults--and improve access to care for children, too. For all the attention devoted to the Affordable Care Act, scant consideration has been paid to a little-known...
- Thank You, Affordable Care Act! The Importance Of The Act?s Provision Allowing Young Adults To Keep Family Insurance
Before last year, the number of young adults going without health insurance had reached crisis levels. In 2009, nearly 15 million young adults between the ages of 19 and 29 lacked health insurance, 4 million more than a decade earlier. After being...
Health News
Commonwealth Survey Underscores Need to Move Forward on ACA and Hold Steady on Medicaid & CHIP
A survey released today by the Commonwealth Fund underscores the need for states to hold steady in their commitment to health insurance programs such as Medicaid and CHIP while families struggle to find solid footing in the aftermath of the recession. It also provides solid evidence that 2014 and full implementation of the Affordable Care Act can't come soon enough for those trying to find stable, affordable health insurance coverage that won't disappear when they lose a job or become sick or injured.
The Commonwealth Fund 2010 Biennial Health Insurance Survey found that about 9 million people lost their jobs and their health benefits last year putting their financial security and access to health care at risk.
The survey also found:
- Few affordable insurance options are available for the newly uninsured. Because access to Medicaid coverage for adults is limited in most states and few people enroll in COBRA, many have had to turn to the individual market to meet their health needs.
- Most adults who tried to buy health insurance on the individual market faced roadblocks such as higher premiums or benefit exclusions due to a pre-existing condition. Many were turned down.
- Seventy-five million adults did not get needed health care in 2010 (a 60 percent increase from 2001). This included insured adults struggling to pay for higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs as well as uninsured adults.
- Seventy-three million people reported problems paying their medical bills or were paying off medical debt, up from 58 million in 2005. Of those, 22 million were unable to pay for basic necessities like food, heat and rent. About 4 million of them declared bankruptcy.
- Four Gifts The Affordable Care Act Has Given Americans By Its Fourth Birthday
On March 23, 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) turned four. In its relatively short life, the ACA has already accomplished a great deal. To celebrate, here?s a list of the top four gifts that the ACA has given to the American people:1. No More Pre-existing...
- The Affordable Care Act: Helping The "young Invincibles"
Just who are these ?young invincibles?? The term describes young adults between the ages of 18-29 who may seem uninterested in health insurance and believe they can afford to go without coverage? and are therefore, ?invincible?. Unfortunately,...
- Ages 55-64 And Uninsured...where Can We Go For Help?
The number of people without health insurance in the United States has increased steadily over the last several years, from 43 million in 2007 to 49 million in 2010. Individuals between the ages of 55 and 64 make up 11% of this uninsured population. This...
- Health Reform's Best-kept Secret
The Basic Health Program could bring more affordable, more reliable coverage to millions of adults--and improve access to care for children, too. For all the attention devoted to the Affordable Care Act, scant consideration has been paid to a little-known...
- Thank You, Affordable Care Act! The Importance Of The Act?s Provision Allowing Young Adults To Keep Family Insurance
Before last year, the number of young adults going without health insurance had reached crisis levels. In 2009, nearly 15 million young adults between the ages of 19 and 29 lacked health insurance, 4 million more than a decade earlier. After being...