The imperative of health care reform: Commonwealth Fund finds individual insurance not an option

[andym]

If there is any doubt that significant health care reform is needed right now. Just read this report:

Failure to Protect: Why the Individual Insurance Market Is Not a Viable Option for Most U.S. Families

Authors: Michelle M. Doty, Ph.D., Sara R. Collins, Ph.D., Jennifer L. Nicholson, M.P.H., and Sheila D. Rustgi


Overview

Between 2001 and 2007, an increasing share of adults with private insurance—whether employer-based coverage or individual market plan—spent a large amount of their income on premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs, were underinsured, and/or avoided needed health care because of costs. Those with coverage obtained in the individual market were the most affected. Over the last three years, nearly three-quarters of people who tried to buy coverage in this market never actually purchased a plan, either because they could not find one that fit their needs or that they could afford, or because they were turned down due to a preexisting condition. Even people enrolled in employer-based plans are spending larger amounts of their income on health care and curtailing their use of needed services to save money. The findings underscore the need for an expansion of affordable health insurance options, particularly during a time of mounting job losses.

http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/Issue-Briefs/2009/July/Failure-to-Protect.aspx

Download report:
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/~/media/Files/Publications/Issue%20Brief/2009/Jul/Failure%20to%20Protect/1300_Doty_failure_to_protect_individual_ins_market_ib_v2.pdf

[PDJane]

1. Thank you........

More educational materials for the inflexible.