Under-Insured Adults Skip Needed Care, Struggle With Medical Debt: Affordable Care Act Reforms Could Have Substantial Impact
Insured and still at risk: Number of under-insured increased 80 percent between 2003 - 2010 The number of underinsured adults - those with health insurance all year, but also with very high medical expenses relative to their incomes - rose by 80 percent between 2003-2010, from 16 million to 29 million, according to a new Commonwealth Fund study published in the September issue of Health Affairs. Nearly half (44%) of U.S. adults - 81 million people - were either underinsured or uninsured in 2010, up from 75 million in 2007 and 61 million in 2003.
Underinsured Adults Rose From 16 Million To 29 Million In 7 Years
The number of adults whose health insurance was inadequate rose 80% from 2003 to 2010, according to a report by the Commonwealth Fund published in the journal Health Affairs. They added that the Affordable Care Act aims to bring down this number by 70%. The Commonwealth Fund defines underinsured adults as those who say yes to at least one of the following: Out-of-pocket family medical care spending makes up over 10% of income (not including premiums) Medical expenses that represent over 5% of income (in families whose income is below 200% of federal poverty level) In this study, the researchers gathered data from the Commonwealth Fund 2010 Health Insurance Survey, which included a telephone survey of 4, 005 individuals aged 19+ years in mainland USA.
Access To Health Insurance, Medical Homes Improves Outcomes Among Undocumented Children
Undocumented children who have access to health insurance are healthier and more engaged in school than those without insurance, according to researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC). Their data is the first to show a direct health benefit to children from what primary care practitioners call a "medical home, " which is medical care that is accessible, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered, compassionate and culturally effective.