Why Does Health Insurance Matter?

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.

“Lack of health insurance negatively affects the overall productivity of society, the stability of emergency care, and the health and financial well-being of individuals,” said Len Nichols, Director of the Health Policy Program at the New America Foundation. “In addition, rising health care costs are one of the most serious economic challenges facing our nation,” Nichols continued, “but because the uninsured are inextricably linked to the cost of care for the rest of us, we cannot solve the cost problem without covering the uninsured.”

“Why Does Health Insurance Matter?” is part of an ongoing series of New America Health Policy Program policy briefs, which also includes: “Who Are The Uninsured?” and “Health Debate Reality Check: The Role of Individual Requirements.”

To read the brief, click the PDF file below.