Uninsured vs. Insured in California

A recent study has shown that providing health care coverage to the 6.3 million Californians who are presently uninsured would boost direct health care expenses within the state by nearly $7.4 billion, or $1,180 per uninsured person. The result of such a notable movement would be better health and preventative care to Californiaıs uninsured as well as reduced spending by providers who serve as safety nets to those without insurance.

This breaking study used 2001 California Health Interview Survey data along with 1998-2000 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data to provide approximate figures of the expenses made for Californians in the health care system.

Clearly, providing health insurance to everyone in the state of California may be much more affordable than initially realized, especially if the state can locate programs that will work on behalf of the unique needs of the uninsured.

For those who are lucky enough to have health insurance, premiums have increased by double digits over the last two years. Skyrocketing health insurance costs are difficult to pinpoint, what many insured can readily report is that with premium increases, quality care has decreased.

The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights hopes to pursue legislation in 2003 that would require preceding approval for health insurance rates that an independent regulator to review a health planıs fiscal vigor and deny rate increases if they are deemed unnecessary.

Insured Californians who have employee sponsored health care benefits are paying on average 27 percent more this year for individual coverage with an increase of 16 percent for family coverage. Premium costs have increased, yet 17 percent of insured employees have seen a decrease in benefits since 2001. Overall, premiums, co-payments and deductibles have increased between 20 and 30 percent for consumers and employees this year beyond the rates from 2001.