The Latest Reports in Health Policy | Study Examines Use of ED by Uninsured, Affluent Patients; Web Exclusives Feature Discussions With Dutch, German Health Officials; Policy Brief Examines VEBAs

Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report

[Apr 09, 2008]

"Are the Uninsured Responsible for the Rise in Emergency Department Visits in the United States?" Annals of Emergency Medicine: The study found that during a period in which the number of ED visits significantly increased, the proportion of uninsured patients visiting EDs dropped slightly, while visits by affluent patients and those who usually receive care in a physician's office rose sharply. Based on data from the Community Tracking Study Household Surveys, researchers found that uninsured individuals accounted for 15.5% of ED visits in 1996-1997 and 14.5% of visits in 2003-2004. At the same time, the proportion of visits by higher-income people increased from 21.9% to 29%, and the proportion of those who typically obtain care in a physician's office rose from 52.4% to 59% (Annals of Emergency Medicine release, 4/8).
Interviews, Health Affairs: Two Web exclusives feature discussions between with the health ministers from the Netherlands and Germany and three U.S. health policy analysts. The Dutch and German health care systems -- which have established universal health care through competition among private insurers regulated by the government and provide subsidies to low-income residents -- have been touted as potential models for overhauling the U.S. health care system. Dutch minister of public health, well-being and sport Ab Klink speaks with Alain Enthoven, the Marriner S. Eccles Professor of Public and Private Management Emeritus at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. German minister of health Ulla Schmidt speaks with Tsung-Mei Cheng, the host and executive editor of the International Forum at Princeton University's Davis International Center, and Uwe Reinhardt, the James Madison Professor of Political Economy at Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs (Health Affairs release, 4/8).
"What Do the New Auto Industry VEBAs Mean for Current and Future Retirees?" AARP Public Policy Institute: The policy brief describes voluntary employees' beneficiary associations recently adopted by the auto industry and discusses implications of VEBAs for current and future retirees' health coverage. The brief also examines questions for the future, such as whether other industries will shift retiree health care liabilities to VEBA trusts and how many of the large VEBAs may help shape the debate about a national health care overhaul (O'Brien, "What Do the New Auto Industry VEBAs Mean for Current and Future Retirees?" March 2008).

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