Drew Altman
Drew Altman
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.
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?'
dramatic expect impact increase rate
All these could have some impact at the margin, but I don't expect any to have a dramatic impact on the rate of increase overall.
attract bigger challenge change costs coverage despite economic economy employers expansion health help insurance longest million nine passing rather remains rising robust uninsured using
More than nine years into our longest economic expansion on record, more employers are now using health insurance coverage to attract and keep workers, and are absorbing rising costs rather than passing them on to their employees. But this may change if the economy cools down, and the bigger challenge that still remains is how to help the 44 million Americans who are uninsured despite the robust economy.
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.
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.
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.
deal good millions option people
This is an option that can be a real good deal for many, many millions of people, but it's not for everybody, least of all people who are chronically ill and low-income.
choices hard help seniors
Seniors still are having a hard time. Seniors still aren't really prepared, and they're going to need a lot of help to make the choices they need to make under the law.
health insurance paying protection seems trouble
If health insurance was working properly, the sicker you are, the more protection you would have. It seems to be working backwards, the sicker you are, the more trouble you have paying bills.
health slow
a slow but perceptible deterioration of our employer-based (health insurance) system.
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.
benefits business dropping far feared figure response widespread
The widespread dropping of drug benefits that some had feared has been averted so far as business figure out what their long-term response would be.