In this column, we address the challenge of expanding health insurance coverage. First, we explore why our employer-based system leaves gaps in coverage, even for people with jobs. Second, we discuss the challenge of relying on the individual insurance market, which has to fill these gaps.
Oct
30
Oct
23
In April, Kent wrote of a woman who had signed up for a “consumer-directed health plan.” While the plan saved her money, she yearned for days when she didn’t have to think about the cost of a doctor’s visit or a prescription.
Traditional health insurance insulates us from the visit-by-visit, script-by-script cost of care. That’s a problem. Facing only a fixed co-pay (or not even that), we don’t look at the “right side of the menu.” In our health care “restaurant,” the menu doesn’t tell us that the Lobster Thermidor costs twice as much as the Chicken Piccata. And we don’t care, because “insurance” will pay for it.
Last week we explored regulatory approaches to slowing health care spending growth. Today we discuss changing the incentives for consumers, providers and insurance markets.
Oct
16
There is a speechwriter in Washington who smiles each time someone says “bending the cost curve.” “Cutting health care costs” may be unattainable but “bending the curve” is essential.
To summarize our first two columns: Cost lies at the heart of the health care problem. Health care insurance masks the price signals that guide buyers and sellers. Providers are paid to do more and consumers have little incentive to refuse (go to www.cgr.org and click on the Policy Wonk link to read the first two).
In this column and the next, we look at ways to tame cost growth.
Oct
9
Welcome to the second in our series on health care. (If you missed the first one, check it out at www.policy-wonk.org.) Today we discuss the growth in health care cost, both how much and how fast it has grown, and the reasons. Next week’s column will focus on ways to reduce health care costs—or, more realistically, to slow the rate of growth.
In 1960, health care spending was 5% of gross domestic product (GDP). This year it’s expected to reach about 18%. For the past 30 years, health care cost has been rising 2% faster than GDP.
On the one hand, perhaps this doesn’t matter. We are spending more on health care and sometimes we get more for our money. Medical science has discovered new therapies. Pharmaceutical companies have identified fabulously successful new drugs. The survival rate for many dread diseases has increased significantly. For example, many cancer sufferers are living longer and experiencing a higher quality of life. Some diseases that were fatal only a few years ago—AIDS is the most prominent example—are now considered almost chronic illnesses. But these new therapies, these new drugs, these new treatments aren’t cheap. Genentech’s Avastin, currently used for a broad range of cancers, can cost from $4,000 to $9,000 per month.
Oct
2
You, too, can be fluent in Health Care! In only 10 easy audio lessons, you can amaze your friends with your command of phrases like single payer, health co-operative and rescission, plus acronyms like ERISA, LOS, IPA and HIPAA. Available on CD or by MP3 download for 10 easy payments of only $29.95.
Tempted? We’ll be attempting a similar feat over the next four weeks. Jim Fatula and Kent Gardner will be offering a “back to basics” look at the debate over health care reform. Two core issues—health care cost and health insurance coverage—occupy center stage.
Visiting Washington this summer, Kent watched a session of the Senate and listened to a member’s passionate speech on this subject. Yet he spoke to an empty chamber. Only one other senator was present. Oh, and C-SPAN’s camera, focused only on him. It seemed a metaphor for what has been a sorry debate, filled with speeches but few discussions. Radicals on both ends of the spectrum are driven more by ideology than by thoughtful differences in policy. This is a war between different faiths, a bitter competition between tribes in which winning is the only goal.
