The Latest

Publications are free unless otherwise noted.

Families USA has developed a series of briefs, "Talking about Health Care Reform." To see the complete list of available briefs, go to Talking about Health Reform.

Health Coverage in the States: How Will Health Reform Help? discusses the major gaps in each state's health coverage system and how health reform will address these gaps and help state residents, including the insured, the uninsured, people in Medicare, and small businesses. 7 pp. (March 2010)

The Dangers of Defeat: The Cost of Failure to Pass Health Reform analyzes the many consequences for America's families and businesses if health reform is—or is not—enacted. It examines what will happen to health insurance premiums, out-of-pocket health care costs, and businesses struggling to provide coverage to workers. 11 pp. (March 2010)

Lives on the Line: The Deadly Consequences of Delaying Health Reform examines what would happen if Congress fails to pass health reform. Specifically, it provides national and state-level estimates of the number of deaths that would occur due to lack of health coverage if reform doesn't pass. It also quantifies how many Americans died due to lack of health coverage since the last effort to pass reform in 1994. 13 pp. Print copies $5.00 (March 2010)

Rate Review: Holding Health Plans Accountable for Your Premium Dollars discusses common problems with the process of reviewing health insurance premium rates, the lessons learned from state rate review procedures, and how health reform will address these problems. 11 pp. (March 2010)

Improving Language Access: CHIPRA Provides Increased Funding for Language Services discusses the increased funding for language assistance services (interpretation and translation) and how states cover these services for Medicaid and CHIP enrollees who are limited English proficient, or LEP. 7 pp. (February 2010)

Making the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) Work: How States Can Help People with Medicare examines how this legislation improves the Medicare Savings Programs and the Part D Low-Income Subsidy, making Medicare more affordable for low-income beneficiaries. It includes tips for advocates. 12 pp. (February 2010)

States in Need: Congress Should Extend Temporary Increase in Medicaid Funding examines why states continue to need this federal help. It includes state-specific data on the federal Medicaid support in the President's budget and on the many positive economic impacts of extending this fiscal relief. 15 pp. Print copies free (February 2010)

Dental and Mental Health: Benefit Improvements in CHIPRA describes the law's new benefit provisions, explains what states must do to comply with the law, and discusses the new options that states have to expand access to dental and mental health care for low-income children. 8 pp. (January 2010)

At a Crossroads: Is Health Coverage Ahead for America? examines how the Senate health reform bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, will affect health coverage. It provides state-specific numbers on how many people will gain coverage under the bill, as well as how many people will be uninsured without health reform. 9 pp. (December 2009)

Expiration of COBRA Subsidy: Millions of Unemployed Workers and Their Dependents Are at Risk; Many Will Lose Their Subsidy as of December 1, 2009 provides state-specific data on what will happen to family COBRA premiums when the subsidy ends, and it argues for extending the COBRA assistance. 7 pp. (December 2009)

Medicare Advantage: Senate Bill Makes Necessary Changes discusses several long-overdue changes that the Senate health reform bill would make, including rolling back the billions of dollars in overpayments that go to these plans. 2 pp. (December 2009)

Your Medical Bills: A Consumer's Guide to Coping with Medical Debt covers steps for paying your medical bills, understanding your rights, and other information you need to know if you are struggling with medical debt. The guide also includes links to many useful online resources. 19 pp. Fact Sheet | State Protections (November 2009)

For a complete list of Families USA's publications, go to Publications by Date or Publications by Topic.

Families USA produces a wide variety of publications each year. If you have questions about any of them, please contact Families USA. If you would like to order a publication, click here for an order form. Please make your check payable to Families USA and mail to Publications, Families USA, 1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005. (DC residents/organizations, add 5.75% sales tax or provide exempt certificate)

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