Survey Estimates Net Gain of 9.3 Million American Adults with Health Insurance

[NRSKarenRN]

[h=3]Survey Estimates Net Gain of 9.3 Million American Adults with Health Insurance [/h] Apr 8, 2014 The Rand Blog

Using a survey fielded by the RAND American Life Panel, we estimate a net gain of 9.3 million in the number of American adults with health insurance coverage from September 2013 to mid-March 2014.

The survey, drawn from a small but nationally representative sample, indicates that this significant uptick in insurance coverage has come not only from enrollment in the new marketplaces established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but also from new enrollment in employer coverage and Medicaid.

Put another way, the survey estimates that the share of uninsured American adults has dropped over the measured period from 20.5 percent to 15.8 percent. Among those gaining coverage, most enrolled through employer-sponsored coverage or Medicaid....

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

Massachusetts, Oregon, Nevada and Maryland.

The Massachusetts exchange is fine. The state is replacing the computer system used to manage it. Oregon is switching to the federal exchange.

[Chisca, RN]

If that is what you call fine I would hate to see what you would call trouble. The company hired for the new system, at a cost of 120 million dollars, is 24% owned by the company that designed the failed system. Not to worry though. they will let the state know by July if the new exchange will be ready by November. If it doesn't work the federal exchange is plan B. "Tis but a scratch..."

[MunoRN, RN]

Like that Monty Python skit where the pet store owner argues that the parrot isn't dead he's just "resting". Sorry to disturb the narrative.

The definition of bankruptcy:

"Bankruptcy is a legal status of a person or other entity that cannot repay the debts it owes to creditors. In most jurisdictions, bankruptcy is imposed by acourt order, often initiated by the debtor."

It appears there's maybe another word you mean to use since that apparently isn't it.

What's your preferred alternative to state run exchanges? A single federally run exchange? no exchanges of any type?

[Episteme]

The definition of bankruptcy:

"Bankruptcy is a legal status of a person or other entity that cannot repay the debts it owes to creditors. In most jurisdictions, bankruptcy is imposed by acourt order, often initiated by the debtor."

It appears there's maybe another word you mean to use since that apparently isn't it.

What's your preferred alternative to state run exchanges? A single federally run exchange? no exchanges of any type?

And the definition of "deep doo-doo" is falsifying reports to the feds telling them that the website is coming along swimmingly so that they keep the federal dollars flowing. Where did the money go? The Justice Department wants to find out.

[Chisca, RN]

You could substitute any one of a number of synonyms for bankruptcy, insolvent, failed, ruined, in debt, owing money, in the red, in arrears, overleveraged.

But hang on to your legal definition even though you know exactly what was meant.

[MunoRN, RN]

You could substitute any one of a number of synonyms for bankruptcy, insolvent, failed, ruined, in debt, owing money, in the red, in arrears, overleveraged.

But hang on to your legal definition even though you know exactly what was meant.

Those aren't actually synonyms for bankruptcy. They're somewhat related terms but their basic meanings are different. If I plan on spending $10 for dinner, but end up spending $15, does that mean I'm bankrupt?

What would you prefer to a state exchange system?

[Chisca, RN]

I suppose if you own a printing press you can never go bankrupt. But the math doesn't add up no matter what you want to call it. And to call it affordable is ludicrous.

[herring_RN, ASN, BSN]

About a decade ago my daughter's job cut her hours to 30 a week and cancelled benefits. She didn't use any healthcare for about a year when I took her BP and it was elevated. She was also obese. She made an appointment at a neighborhood clinic where they charge on a sliding scale paying $40.00 a visit.

She was seen and educated by a wonderful nurse practitioner. She was given a lecture using a flip chart on the dangers of her weight. She was told, "If you don't lose weight you may not live to forty.

She asked for a gym membership for Christmas and went on the "Special K' diet.

In one year she was down to normal weight, a vegetarian who eats no sugar, and exercising regularly.

In 2005 health insurance was impossible for her to afford due to preexisting conditions of HTN and obesity, neither of which she still had. (more than $1,200.00 a month was the lowest offered)

Now she has a policy on the exchange for $238.00 a month. She had a choice of primary physicians and two of the best hospitals in our city.

She has a second part time jobs so the premiums are affordable for her. If she loses a job she will qualify for a tax incentive (subsidy) to help.

It isn't easy. If not for my insisting i think she would continue at the clinic, but I keep explaining that insurance is for the event of an accident or injury putting her in the hospital. A hospitalization would bankrupt her.

[toomuchbaloney]

I suppose if you own a printing press you can never go bankrupt. But the math doesn't add up no matter what you want to call it. And to call it affordable is ludicrous.

I suppose your comment about affordable is referencing the "Affordable Care Act". I wonder, why do you suppose that health insurance is so unaffordable? Would you be in favor of additional or better federal subsidies to make the premiums more affordable?

If you are not a fan of state exchanges for purchase of health insurance what would you prefer to see?

[Episteme]

That is good to hear and I know you're proud of your daughter. The exchanges will be a blessing for some. It's good to hear it's not all for nothing.

It's just not good for nearly as many folks as it's hurt. Many have lost their insurance and been put on policies they might afford with subsidized premiums (sometimes) but crazy high deductibles they know they can't afford.

And I gotta tell you... if you're a righty, you can be angry at the government. But if you're a lefty, you have got to be incensed at the role of insurance companies in this. They're getting paid very well for what is often very inappropriate coverage. And they made sure their bail out was in big bold print in the legislation.

[toomuchbaloney]

That is good to hear and I know you're proud of your daughter. The exchanges will be a blessing for some. It's good to hear it's not all for nothing.

It's just not good for nearly as many folks as it's hurt. Many have lost their insurance and been put on policies they might afford with subsidized premiums (sometimes) but crazy high deductibles they know they can't afford.

And I gotta tell you... if you're a righty, you can be angry at the government. But if you're a lefty, you have got to be incensed at the role of insurance companies in this. They're getting paid very well for what is often very inappropriate coverage. And they made sure their bail out was in big bold print in the legislation.

As you are likely aware, "lefties" did not much care for the ACA as the sole remedy to what ails our health system. Most "lefties" continue to desire a single payer system over the ACA (which was born out of a conservative think tank). That said, most lefites also are happy that a step was taken to improve our health system rather than more of the "change nothing" stance that has been represented by some of our legislators for decades. Doing nothing was not a sustainable option any longer.

[Episteme]

Single payer. I think that brings us back to... what? Oh, yeah. The VA. That's what I can't wait for.