Sarah Axeen

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Employer health costs put U.S. firms at a competitive disadvantage compared with certain trading partners, highlighting the need to separate health coverage from employer financing, according to a report scheduled for release May 7.

The report by the New America Foundation found that, while U.S. manufacturers pay $2.38 per hour for health benefits, five of the country's major trading partners pay an average of $0.96 per hour. The report looked at health… more

Contact: Elizabeth Carpenter New America Foundation 401-529-9379 (cell) 202-261-6585 (office) carpenter@newamerica.net   

Washington, DC -- Rising health care costs undermine the ability of U.S. firms to compete internationally and threaten good American jobs, according to a report released today by the New America Foundation. 

The New America report, "Employer Health Costs in a Global Economy: A Competitive Disadvantage for U.S. Firms," found that U.S. manufacturers spend more than twice as much for health benefits than their foreign… more

Although most Americans get health insurance through their employers, business leaders are increasingly united in their belief that rising health care costs threaten America’s competitiveness in the global economy. Business support for comprehensive health reform has been growing as a result.

However, economists generally believe that it is workers -- rather than employers -- who pay for health care through lower wages. Although this proposition may hold true in the long run, employers face… more

In 2000, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimated that the “annualized economic cost of the diminished health and shorter lifespan of Americans who lack health insurance is between $65 and $130 billion for each year of health insurance forgone.”

After updating the IOM’s numbers to reflect growth in the economy and increases in the number of uninsured, we estimate that the poor health and shorter lifespan of the uninsured cost the U.S. economy between $102 billion and $204 billion in 2006.… more

Uncompensated care (UC) is health care that is delivered, but not paid for by either a patient or a third party payer. Most UC is delivered to the very ill during or after a visit to an emergency room. In 2004, UC was estimated to total $41 billion dollars.

This issue brief finds that individuals with incomes above 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or $41,300 for a family of four and people living at or below the poverty… more

Requiring individuals to purchase health insurance -- the so-called “individual mandate” -- is the subject of much debate. In its latest fact sheet, the Health Policy Program addresses some of the most popular myths about an individual mandate and explains why requiring individuals to purchase health insurance is a necessary component of any plan that seeks to cover all Americans.

Fact: The uninsured increase the price of… more

Presidential candidates are travelling across the nation touting their respective plans to reform our nation’s struggling health system. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, do you ever wonder: why all the fuss about health coverage? Campaign rhetoric aside -- why does health insurance really matter? The New America Foundation today released “Why Does Health Insurance Matter?” This short policy brief outlines the societal, economic, and health-related consequences of the uninsured. more

In the U.S., what region of the country has nearly half of all uninsured Americans? Are they employed? What is their economic background? How about their race? Who are the uninsured? To find out, click here.

To view Health Policy Program Director Len Nichol's related presentation, click here.

As Program Associate in the Health Policy Program at the New America Foundation, Sarah Axeen conducts research on health care disparities and how they affect access to and the quality of health care for both the insured and the uninsured. She also works to advance the overall goals of the… more