Part III & Part IV Impact of Uninsured Population

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IMPACT OF UNINSURED POPULATION IN THE USA

The Problem

The US Census Bureau pits the number of uninsured `non-elderly Americans close to 46 million and this has steadily been rising since 2000 . Most of the uninsured are young Americans who have not yet attained the age for Medicare . A very large of this growth is attributed to a decline in organization sponsored health insurance . However , during a two year period through 2003 - 04 , approximately over 80 million Americans under 65 were uninsured

. That means one out of 3 Americans under 65 is vulnerable to risk of bankruptcy and health hazards from being uninsured . Besides , the number of under-insured - those who have significant uncovered medical expenses- stood at more than 10 million in the year 2004 . Health premiums alone rose threefold over average American incomes during the period 2000 - 04 . This was largely the cause of `under ' insurance . A serious concern with Americans today is the possible fall out of being ill or injured in such circumstances

Most of the increase in the uninsured is due to an increase in the adult population to over 8 million equaled by a rise in the uninsured population to about 6 and a half million . About 4 million of this segment is below 200 percent of the poverty level . There are increases in uninsured even among the high income bracket of the population Moreover , the shift in employment patterns suggests a large number veering toward employment in small size firms or self employment . Major figures for the uninsured or under insured are seen in this segment and most likely the trend will continue

The decline in employer sponsored health coverage will continue and costs of health insurance are far in excess of earnings and will continue to be so . Government intervention through public sponsored initiatives like tax credits or health programs is sure to be hampered by large budget deficits hampering state initiatives . In some states the growth in health care costs even outpaces state incomes

What are the implications in all this , for us ? - Well , if health insurance costs keep rising as they are now , it will become difficult for people to buy health cover . Just the premium costs for our insurance products amount to 65 of the coverage are now being passed on to the individual , how do we widen the net to protect the underinsured and prevent the uninsured from drifting off into Suggested below are three initiatives can start and manage to face the risks from the uninsured population turning its back on us

Profit balanced with growth

Product Mix

Re-organize Structure (King , 2006

Profit balanced with growth drives the Business

The issue - Economies of scale exist in the health care management industry but do not enable low premiums and ensure growth . Promotion of growth actually hampers profits as the issue concerning us is to be able to keep servicing our corporate clients , many of whom are offloading costs to each employee . We...