Affordability
People want to know that they can afford the care they receive and won’t have to choose between their health and potential bankruptcy.
See why we’ve made affordability a priority.
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May 23, 2019Affordability, Press Release, Public Option, State Efforts
USofCare Applauds Introduction of Connecticut Option
US of Care applauds the introduction of Connecticut’s Connecticut Option bill, which would provide a market-based solution to lower health care costs. The introduction of the bill demonstrates that state leaders can craft effective solutions to address our most pressing health care challenges regardless of what’s happening in Washington.
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May 17, 2019Affordability, Public Option, State Efforts
Colorado Has a Plan for Lowering Costs, Delivering High-Quality Affordable Coverage.
Given the unlikelihood of significant federal action to reduce health care costs in the near future, Colorado is among the states that have taken initiative to guarantee affordable health care for its residents. Today, the governor of Colorado signed HB19-1004, a bipartisan bill aimed at establishing a competitive state insurance option. This legislation aims to tackle the issue of costly coverage in regions where there is limited or no competition among insurers. United States of Care applauds Colorado for adopting a bipartisan, state-based strategy that prioritizes affordability and accessibility.
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April 8, 2019Affordability, Dependable Coverage, Resources
Health Affairs: Measuring The Burden Of Health Care Costs For Working Families
The rising costs for individuals and families with employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) have been overlooked compared to costs in the individual market or public programs. The majority of non-elderly Americans rely on ESI for coverage, so affordability concerns for this group should be a priority. View our full brief, created jointly with Penn LDI, to learn more.
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April 1, 2019Affordability, Press Release, Research
New Analysis Shows Premiums for Employer Sponsored Health Coverage Increasing Faster Than Incomes in Most States
United States of Care’s latest issue brief, developed in collaboration with Penn LDI, delves into the state-level impact of employer-sponsored insurance on working families in relation to their income. The analysis reveals that from 2010 to 2016, healthcare premiums outpaced income growth. Across the country, a significant portion of incomes is being consumed by premiums, placing a considerable burden on working families who are now confronted with difficult choices regarding their healthcare expenses. By shedding light on the issue of healthcare costs, the issue brief aims to contribute to the ongoing national discourse and assist policymakers in comprehending the effects of these costs on the individuals they represent.
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April 1, 2019Affordability, Dependable Coverage, News & Updates, Resources
The Burden of Health Care Costs for Working Families
Growing concern about the affordability of health care frequently appears in public debate about the next phase of health care reform. This brief, which was created between United States of Care and Penn’s Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics, provides state-level data on the cost burden faced by working families who have employer-sponsored insurance (ESI). While not all working families have ESI, it is the most common form of health insurance in the United States. We examine how this burden varies across states, and how it has changed within states from 2010 to 2016.
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March 21, 2019Affordability, News & Updates
Top Health Care Concerns for 2019, As Decided By You
At the end of 2018, United States of Care’s Board Chair, Andy Slavitt, put out a call on Twitter for people to share the health concerns that are most common among their friends and family, and that they most want solutions to. Out of the more than 200 people that responded, more than one third of people mentioned costs as a major concern. It highlighted that we need to unite around lowering health care costs, even if we differ on which costs need to be addressed first.
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February 20, 2019Affordability, Public Option, Resources
Playbook Launched to Help States Explore Medicaid Buy-In to Bring More Affordability and Stability to Health Care
Today, USofCare launched MedicaidBuyIn.com and a Medicaid Buy-in Playbook. Informed by conversations with lawmakers and advocates, these the website and playbook aim to support states as they undertake efforts to increase access to affordable health care through Medicaid buy-in. United States of Care is also supporting state efforts to explore Medicaid buy-in through on-the-ground engagement, strategic consultation and public opinion research.
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February 7, 2019Affordability, News & Updates, State Efforts
Politics Aside, Americans Agree: States Can and Should Take Action on Health Care
Despite political divisions, Americans of all political affiliations agree that states can and should take action to improve health care. USofCare identified five areas in which strategic steps can be taken to build toward improving health care access for millions of Americans. These include making insurance more affordable and improving access to mental health care. Bipartisan support for state-led solutions offers hope for progress in addressing health care challenges in the US.
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November 30, 2018Affordability, Resources, State Efforts
“Surprise” Medical Bills: State Opportunities to Protect Patients
Most people hope that being covered by health insurance will protect them from financial ruin if they are sick or injured. However, people with insurance can receive unexpected “surprise” medical bills after they seek care, even if they were treated at a facility within their network. Read the full brief about surprise medical bills.