Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Uninsured realities
[Phillip Brownlee, "At risk," The Wichita Eagle, 22 June 2004.]
One of today's editorials in the Eagle focuses on the crisis of the uninsured. This deserves two comments.
First, it is important to understand just who comprises the uninsured. As we have shown, the number of uninsured includes many who are able to afford insurance but choose not to nonetheless. Indeed, those at the upper end of the income scale have seen the largest increase in uninsured rates in recent years while those at the lower end have actually been on the decline.
Second, while it is often asserted that additional government assistance is needed to address the problem, it may actually be the case that less would be an improvement. State mandates for coverage increase the cost of insurance and thereby reduce affordability.
The Kansas Legislature passed the Business Health Partnership Act in 2000, and endorsed a non-profit agency to work on increasing insurance affordability. While the Kansas Health Partners Benefit Association has the authority to waive certain mandates, it does currently offer a low-cost insurance option that includes all state mandates.
With further efforts in this area and with the introduction of Health Savings Accounts, the uninsured need not be a crisis issue in Kansas.
[Matthew Hisrich, "Greatest increase in uninsured found among wealthy," The Flint Hills Center, 10 May 2004.]
[Phillip Brownlee, "At risk," The Wichita Eagle, 22 June 2004.]
One of today's editorials in the Eagle focuses on the crisis of the uninsured. This deserves two comments.
First, it is important to understand just who comprises the uninsured. As we have shown, the number of uninsured includes many who are able to afford insurance but choose not to nonetheless. Indeed, those at the upper end of the income scale have seen the largest increase in uninsured rates in recent years while those at the lower end have actually been on the decline.
Second, while it is often asserted that additional government assistance is needed to address the problem, it may actually be the case that less would be an improvement. State mandates for coverage increase the cost of insurance and thereby reduce affordability.
The Kansas Legislature passed the Business Health Partnership Act in 2000, and endorsed a non-profit agency to work on increasing insurance affordability. While the Kansas Health Partners Benefit Association has the authority to waive certain mandates, it does currently offer a low-cost insurance option that includes all state mandates.
With further efforts in this area and with the introduction of Health Savings Accounts, the uninsured need not be a crisis issue in Kansas.
[Matthew Hisrich, "Greatest increase in uninsured found among wealthy," The Flint Hills Center, 10 May 2004.]
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