Individuals with Special Needs and Health Reform: Adequacy of Health Insurance Coverage
This issue brief examines the health care needs and health costs of individuals
with special health challenges, focusing on those with low-to-moderate incomes.
It finds that even under a benefit package more generous than most offered in
the private insurance market, individuals and families can face significant gaps
in coverage and large out-of-pocket costs, especially if they have serious
health conditions.
The findings have implications for the health reform
debate as policymakers consider minimum standards for coverage, required cost
sharing amounts and limits on covered benefits in health plans.
Issue Brief (.pdf)
