The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation - Health Policy, Media Resources, Public Health Education & South Africa

Health Leaders Share Views in New health08.org Interview Series
Leaders of organizations representing health care providers, insurers, policymakers, employers, labor unions and consumers share their views on shortcomings in the nation's health care system and how it can be improved. The series,"Viewpoints: The Health Care Debate," reveals the diversity of perspectives on the problems and potential solutions for improving health care in the U.S. Interviews available this week are with Families USA's Ron Pollack, National Association of Manufacturers' John Engler, National Medical Association's Dr. Mohammad Akhter and National Governors Association's Ray Scheppach.

Webcast on State Initiatives to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
On Wednesday, May 14, Kaiser hosted a live, interactive webcast focusing on the recent state efforts to address health disparities and the factors that can help or hinder the implementation of these projects. The expert panel discussed the current state-based efforts to improve access to care and outcomes for minority populations, including the work of states such as Massachusetts, Georgia and Ohio. The webcast is part of the Foundation's Today's Topics In Health Disparities series.

Pulling It Together: Health IN the Economy
Will health fade as a public concern as the economy rises as the public's top priority? How are concerns about health and the economy linked? Does the rise of economic concerns present obstacles or opportunities for health reform? In his latest Pulling It Together essay, Foundation President Drew Altman takes on these questions, drawing from the Foundation's latest polls and analyses in a column called "Health IN the Economy."


Determining Income Eligibility in Children’s Health Coverage Programs: How States Use Disregards in Children’s Medicaid and SCHIP Analysis Shows Effect of Rising Unemployment on Health Coverage, Medicaid and SCHIP Spending and Enrollment Medicaid: Overview and Impact of New Regulations Five Basic Facts on Immigrants and Their Health Care
Resources on Medicare Spending and Solvency: webcast, issue brief explaining Medicare financing and summary of 2009 budget proposal Medicare Health and Prescription Drug Plan Tracker Updated With 2008 Data Retiree Health Benefits Survey Resources on the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
How Private Health Insurance Works -- A 2008 Update Webcast -- Ask the Experts: Tax Subsidies and Health Insurance Snapshots: Employer Health Insurance Costs and Worker Compensation Employer Health Benefits 2007 Annual Survey
San Francisco's Plan To Care for Its Uninsured Population Five Basic Facts on Immigrants and Their Health Care The U.S. Economy and Changes in Health Insurance Coverage, 2000-2006 New Interactive Map Tracks Comprehensive State Initiatives on Covering the Uninsured
Today's Topics In Health Disparities: State Initiatives to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities New Analysis on Disparities in Health Coverage Among Asian Americans Summary of Health Disparities-Focused Legislation in 110th Congress Key Facts: Race, Ethnicity and Medical Care
Updated: Women's Health Insurance Coverage Fact Sheet Medicaid's Role in Family Planning--Issue Brief Maternity Care and Consumer-Driven Health Plans HPV Vaccine: Implementation and Financing Policy Fact Sheet and KaiserEDU.org Issue Module

Problems Experienced as a Result of Changes in the Economy. Health care costs rank near the top Americans' personal economic concerns, with nearly three in 10 (28 percent) reporting that they or their families have had a serious problem paying for health care and health insurance. View Report.

Source: Kaiser Health Tracking Poll: Election 2008 (conducted April 3-13, 2008).