Drew Altman
Drew Altman
bad care costs good health increase news rate
The good news is the rate of increase in health care costs is down, ... The bad news is that's the only good news.
changes good news parents ratings system understand using
The good news for the ratings system is that many parents are using the ratings and find them helpful. But they do not always understand the system, and there are changes they'd like to see made.
bad faster good growth last lower news rate slightly three
There is some good news, I suppose. The rate of growth is slightly lower than last year. The bad news is that's the only good news, because premiums are still going up three times faster than wages.
deal definitely good major problems solution
They (Bush's proposals) are potentially a good deal for many Americans. But they definitely are not the solution to the major problems we face.
deal good millions option people
This is an option that can be a real good deal for many, many millions of people, but it's not for everybody, least of all people who are chronically ill and low-income.
care costs health temporary
There have been temporary successes, but always health care costs have bounced back with a vengeance.
answering difficult mean time
Beneficiaries are having a difficult time answering the most important question: 'What does it mean for me?'
attract bigger challenge change costs coverage despite economic economy employers expansion health help insurance longest million nine passing rather remains rising robust uninsured using
More than nine years into our longest economic expansion on record, more employers are now using health insurance coverage to attract and keep workers, and are absorbing rising costs rather than passing them on to their employees. But this may change if the economy cools down, and the bigger challenge that still remains is how to help the 44 million Americans who are uninsured despite the robust economy.
choices hard help seniors
Seniors still are having a hard time. Seniors still aren't really prepared, and they're going to need a lot of help to make the choices they need to make under the law.
care health impact increase lots rate
There are lots of things on the table, but there's nothing that will have a significant impact on the rate of increase of health care costs.
bunch cards care forces government halfway industry late opposed people powerful rejected strict stuck
The American people rejected strict managed care in the late '90s. Government regulation, like the kind in other industrialized countries, is opposed by powerful industry forces and is not in the cards politically. So we're stuck with a bunch of halfway measures.
coverage draining health hurt insurance steady workers
It is low-wage workers who are being hurt the most by the steady drip, drip, drip of coverage draining out of the employer-based health insurance system.
bear deals health looking mean risks share shift start system
We may be looking at the start of a fundamental shift in what we mean by health insurance, from a system where we share risks to one where it's up to individuals to make their own deals and bear their own risks.
answer beat caught drum individual mean negative positive seniors
The positive drum beat has caught up with the negative one. But on an individual basis, most seniors still can't answer the big question: 'What does it mean for me?