Drew Altman
Drew Altman
call entirely experts health human impersonal mean nature numbers outcomes paperwork patients point quality talk talking
The point is that when they talk about quality of health care, patients mean something entirely different than experts do. They're not talking about numbers or outcomes but about their own human experience, which is a combination of cost, paperwork and what I'll call the hassle factor, the impersonal nature of the care.
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?
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.
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.
care cost families faster five health paying
The cost of health care is going up much faster than people's wages. Families are paying about (on average) $1,000 more now just for health care premiums than they were five years ago.
coming money obstacles pay
The two obstacles are fundamental disagreements on how to do it and coming up with the money to pay the bill.
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.
achieved care fooled health history increase moderation rate seen temporary
Don't be fooled by the moderation we've seen this year. History has told us that when it comes to controlling health care costs, we've achieved some temporary successes, but the rate of increase always bounces back.
fooled moderation seen
Don't be fooled by the moderation we've seen this year,
answering difficult mean time
Beneficiaries are having a difficult time answering the most important question: 'What does it mean for me?'
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.
change decide face fence financial later number penalties road stay turns
A substantial number of beneficiaries are already enrolled, but a lot turns on what those who are on the fence decide to do between now and May 15. If they stay out for now, some could face financial penalties down the road if they later change their mind.
answer critical figure mean question test web whether works
It's just too complicated for them to get it from a brochure, or a Web site, or to answer the critical question of, 'What does this mean for me?' ... Unfortunately, it's going to take a real world test for us to figure out whether this works or doesn't work.
call health slow
This is a slow but perceptible fraying of our employment-based system, ... what I call the drip, drip, drip (of health coverage).