Private Insurance--Publications

Private Insurance: Publications

Why Employers Should Share the Responsibility of Paying for Health Care discusses five reasons why it makes sense to require employers to contribute to the cost of health coverage, known as an "employer responsibility requirement." 3 pp. Print copies free. (June 2009)

Investing in Health Coverage: It Just Makes Sense explores four key reasons why we all have a stake in making sure everyone has health coverage. 4 pp. Print copies free. (June 2009)

Hidden Health Tax: Americans Pay a Premium discusses how private health insurance premiums are higher, in part, because the costs of uncompensated care for the uninsured are shifted to those who have insurance, a "hidden health tax." The report quantifies this "tax" for family and individual coverage. 32 pp. Print copies $10.00 (May 2009)

CoverTN, Tennessee's Barebones Health Plan: A Case Study uses Tennessee's barebones health plan as an example to examine how limited-benefit plans fail to meet the health coverage needs of consumers. 16 pp. Print copies free. (May 2009)

Too Great a Burden: Americans Face Rising Health Care Costs reveals how many Americans face very high health care costs and shows the magnitude of the health care cost crisis. The report provides data on how many people are in families that will spend more than 10 percent or 25 percent of their pre-tax income on health care in 2009. 30 pp. Print copies $15.00 (April 2009)

Health Care Must Be Affordable for All Families, Regardless of Income presents crucial arguments for why health reform must ensure that health care is truly affordable. It proposes placing reasonable limits on out-of-pocket costs and providing subsidies, especially for those with low and moderate incomes. 2 pp. Print copies free (April 2009)

States Act to Help People Laid Off from Small Firms: More Needs to Be Done discusses how, in response to pressure from advocates, some states are taking steps toward passing "mini-COBRA" laws to help laid off workers from small firms get the federal subsidy guaranteed through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). 8 pp. Print copies free. (April 2009)

Have health insurance? Think you're well protected? Think Again! This one-page fact sheet provides quick stats on how health care expenses overwhelm even insured working families, forcing many into bankruptcy. 1 p. Free (Updated March 2009)

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: House Bill Health Coverage Provisions for the Unemployed Are Essential describes key differences in the health coverage provisions in the Senate and House versions of the economic recovery package, namely temporary Medicaid for unemployed workers and COBRA subsidies, and explains why the House provisions are crucial for helping unemployed workers and their families keep health coverage. 2 pp. Print copies free. (February 2009)

Protecting Unemployed Workers' Health Coverage: What States Can Do discusses how states can help unemployed workers keep or obtain health coverage during these turbulent economic times. 16 pp. Free (January 2009)

Squeezed! Caught between Unemployment Benefits and Health Care Costs examines COBRA coverage and unemployment benefits and finds that, to maintain their employer-based coverage under COBRA, most unemployed workers would have to devote an unrealistically high proportion of their unemployment check to health insurance. 13 pp. Print copies $10.00 (January 2009)

The Hidden Link: Health Costs and Family Economic Insecurity examines the crisis in family health care costs and shows why it will be impossible to restore family economic security without health reform that achieves quality, affordable coverage for all. 5 pp. Print copies $2.00 (January 2009)

Limited-Benefit Plans: Expanding Coverage or Holding Your State Back? examines the negative effects of limited-benefit insurance plans (also known as "barebones" or "mandate-lite" plans) based on how these plans have fared in some states. This brief also discusses how advocates can respond to limited-benefit proposals in their states. 8 pp. Free (October 2008)

Failing Grades: Illinois Fails to Protect Consumers in the Individual Health Insurance Market focuses the broader discussion of inadequate consumer protections for the individual market on Illinois, examining how the state falls short in protecting consumers, leaving them vulnerable to insurance company abuse. The report also includes recommendations for reforms needed in the private market. 28 pp. Free (September 2008)

Premiums versus Paychecks: A Growing Burden for Workers: Throughout the first eight years of the new millennium, health care costs have skyrocketed, while working families’ wages have stood still, putting a significant strain on family budgets. This series of state-by-state reports, which are based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Health and Human Services, examine what these trends mean for working families. (September-October 2008)

An Unequal Burden: The True Cost of High-Deductible Health Plans for Communities of Color discusses the full costs associated with high-deductible health plans and why these expenses are disproportionately unaffordable for racial and ethnic minorities. It also examines several myths about health savings accounts (HSAs), which are often coupled with such health plans. 12 pp. Free (September 2008)

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