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The Business of
Health Care Report Today, the ranks of the uninsured in America are estimated at more than 44 million citizens. That number is expected to rise to 48 million by 2009, even if economic growth continues. With rapid health care cost inflation or a recession, some estimate the number could rise from 48 to 61 million. Movement in or out of the insured ranks is tied directly to economic prosperity. Employer-based coverage increased from 1995 to 1999, attributable to people who moved to better jobs as a result of the economic boom. Conversely, between 1989 and 1990, years of economic downturn, 2 million Americans lost their health coverage. Yet there is broad misunderstand as to who makes up the uninsured. The percentage of low-income Americans receiving coverage through public programs stabilized in 1999 after declining for five years. As many move into the work force, they move from uninsured to potentially insurable through employer-based programs. As their wages have not kept pace with advancing premiums, this group often opts out of employer-based insurance. Coverage acceptance is directly related to the cost of health care as a percentage of family income. This group commonly is referred to as the working uninsured and poses the biggest challenge. Most have no ongoing physician relationship; they pay cash or use credit cards; or use hospital emergency rooms for episodic care, which may or may not get repaid. Millions of new businesses have started in the U.S. Yet the ability to secure and pay for small group insurance or individual medical coverage is expensive if available at all. One in six of the working uninsured is a small business owner. In Texas today, 25 percent of the population is without health insurance. They are likely to be younger and male, although statistics are finding women growing almost equal to the male uninsured, especially after age 45. Half are Hispanic. The impact on hospitals? The 13 hospitals of Texas Health Resources experienced more than $174 million in charity care and bad debt in 2000. The 77th Texas Legislature is eager to seek options for the Texas uninsured. Do you have thoughts on this issue? Let me know. And stay tuned to News Radio 1080 KRLD and here at TexasHealth.org for more news on the Business of Health Care. DougHawthorne@TexasHealth.org. ©
2001 Texas Health Resources |
