Spending To Survive: Cancer Patients Confront Holes in the Health Insurance System January 30, 2009 Event This report highlights the severe challenges cancer patient may face in paying for life-saving care even when they have private health insurance. Jointly authored by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the American Cancer Society, the report profiles 20 patients and illustrates the potential difficulties people diagnosed with cancer or other…
Cost Sharing for Health Care: France, Germany, and Switzerland December 31, 2008 Issue Brief As policymakers in the United States weigh options for reform to the nation’s health care system, the level of cost sharing that consumers face when they receive services covered by their health plans is a major consideration, especially for those with serious health conditions. This background brief authored by Kaiser…
Primers on Key Health Care Topics and Programs December 1, 2008 Issue Brief The Kaiser Family Foundation maintains a number of primers providing overviews of key health care programs and issues. Written by Foundation staff, each primer provides key data and information that helps illustrate the topic and its relevance for the nation’s health care system. Medicaid: A Primer Medicare: A Primer The…
How Private Health Coverage Works: A Primer – 2008 Update April 1, 2008 Issue Brief How Private Health Coverage Works: A Primer— 2008 UpdateThis primer explains the role and operations of private health coverage in the United States. Private health coverage is provided under a variety of different arrangements, including health insuring organizations regulated under state law and health plans sponsored by employers and employee organizations…
Nursing Home Reform: Then and Now November 29, 2007 Video To mark the 20th anniversary of the passage of landmark federal legislation to improve the quality of nursing home care, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (known as OBRA 87), this video examines the history surrounding the law. The video includes a look at the state of nursing home…
Health Affairs Article: Impact of State Tort Reforms on Physician Malpractice Payments February 27, 2007 Issue Brief A study in the March/April 2007 issue of Health Affairs analyzes the impact of state tort reforms on physician malpractice claims. The study finds that the tort law changes have had a measurable but limited impact on physician malpractice claims, depending on the type and strength of the tort reform. Commissioned by…
A Consumer Guide to Handling Disputes with Your Employer or Private Health Plan July 30, 2005 Report Most people get their health care through some form of managed care plan – a health maintenance organization, preferred provider organization, or point-of-service option. Most of the time, people receive the care they need, but the potential exists for disagreements over the services that will be provided or paid for…
National Survey on Consumers’ Experiences With Patient Safety and Quality Information — Toplines October 31, 2004 Poll Finding National Survey on Consumers’ Experiences With Patient Safety and Quality Information — ToplinesThis document includes the complete toplines from a national survey assessing Americans’ perceptions about the quality of health care, their awareness and reported usage of information in making their health care choices, and their experiences with their health…
National Survey on Consumers’ Experiences With Patient Safety and Quality Information — Summary and Chartpack October 31, 2004 Poll Finding National Survey on Consumers’ Experiences With Patient Safety and Quality Information — Summary and ChartpackThis chartpack summarizes key findings from a national survey assesses Americans’ perceptions about the quality of health care, their awareness and reported usage of information in making their health care choices, and their experiences with their…
National Survey on Consumers’ Experiences With Patient Safety and Quality Information October 31, 2004 Poll Finding National Survey on Consumers’ Experiences With Patient Safety and Quality Information This survey assesses Americans’ perceptions about the quality of health care, their awareness and reported usage of information in making their health care choices, and their experiences with their health care providers five years after the Institute of Medicine’s…