BMJ  2008;336:1399 (21 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.a419

News

Underinsurance threatens physical and financial wellbeing of US families

Jeanne Lenzer

1 New York

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

A survey has found that one of every eight US adults is "underinsured," causing many families to file for bankruptcy and forgo needed health care (Health Affairs 2008 Jun 10; doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.27.4.w298).

The survey of 2616 US adults, conducted by the Commonwealth Fund, a charitable organisation based in New York that promotes a "high performing healthcare system," found that 42% of people aged 19 to 65 had either no health insurance or were underinsured in 2007—up from 35% in 2003 (Health Affairs 2005 Jun 14; doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.w5.289).

Respondents were defined as underinsured if they spent 10% or more of their income on out of pocket medical expenses (5% if they were poor) or if the deductible (the portion they have to pay before insurance starts) is 5% or more of their income.

The Commonwealth Fund’s report found that 68% of uninsured people went without needed health . . . [Full text of this article]


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