The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) is a United States (U.S) non-profit organization with headquarters in San Francisco, California. Primarily, the foundation is focused on highlighting the critical health care issues that the U.S faces ( Claxton et al., 2016) . As part of these efforts, the KFF has been at the forefront of highlighting the role that the U.S plays in advancing the global health policy. Consequently, the KFF acts as an independent source of useful analysis, facts, journalism, and polling. This information is used by the general public, policymakers, media, and lastly, the global health care community. Therefore, KFF’s website boasts the most accurate and current information on various health policy issues, making it an important reference point for healthcare practitioners and enthusiasts. This paper is aimed at exploring KFF’s website with the aim of researching and evaluating the various levels of health insurance.
Kaiser Family Foundation
The KFF publishes materials covering health-care issues, including analysis, research, journalism, and polling. However, much of the foundation’s research efforts are focused on individuals from low-income households and those highly susceptible to health-care costs ( Kreider et al., 2016). In particular, these individuals include recipients of Medicare or Medicaid, those suffering from chronic illnesses, and the uninsured. Besides covering domestic health policy issues in the U.S, the KFF also plays a vital role in articulating the role of the U.S in advancing global health policy.
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The KFF has been at the forefront of offering resources for individuals seeking clarification on various health insurance laws ( Claxton et al., 2016). Notable among these laws is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. To fulfill this role, the foundation supported the creation of animated videos whose purpose was to explain the health law as well as health insurance in simple terms. The Foundation also developed a calculator for people to use in estimating how much they would need to pay for health insurance.
The foundation is also widely known for its role in sharing public opinion research and documenting the experiences and views of the general public on health and other related matters. In executing this, the foundation works closely with notable news organizations such as the New York Times, among others. The foundation boasts the Kaiser Health News, an independent news service whose goal is to cover politics and health care policy ( Claxton et al., 2016). Using this news service, the KFF offers coverage of health policy developments and issues at both state and federal levels in the health care delivery system and marketplace. In a bid to promote quality reporting, KFF sponsors site visits, and training for reporters covering health care issues. The foundation also works closely with various key corporate and media partners, health departments, government agencies, community, and national leadership organizations as well as other like-minded foundations. These partnerships are aimed at facilitating the execution of large-scale public information campaigns whose aim is to create attention on important social and health issues, particularly those associated with major diseases.
Levels of Health Insurance
The KFF shares information on several levels of health insurance. These include Medicaid, Medicare, Employer, Military, Non-Group, and Uninsured as follows;
Medicaid
This level includes the individuals covered by Medical Assistance, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) as well as any other form of government-assistance plan that is targeted at individuals from low-income households or those with disabilities. The level also includes the individuals with both Medicaid, coupled with a second coverage type. An example in the latter's case includes the persons that are also covered by Medicare.
According to the information available on KFF's website, Medicaid should be conceptualized as the public health insurance program that caters to the individuals from low –income households. Approximately one in every five Americans is covered by the Medicaid program. The coverage also includes individuals with costly and complex care needs. As a result, Medicaid acts as the primary source of long-term health care coverage for American citizens, the majority of who have limited access to alternative and affordable health insurance. Medicaid caters to a wide array of health services while limiting the out-of-pocket costs incurred by beneficiaries. Up to a fifth of the amount spent on health care in the U.S is financed by Medicaid. A significant proportion of the finances are directed at community health centers, nursing homes, hospitals, physicians, and various jobs in the American health care sector. Medicaid's structure takes the form of a federal-state partnership, it has continuously evolved, increased access to care, and ensures that most spending is concentrated on those with disabilities, and the elderly. Due to the above attributes, most American citizens are in favor of Medicaid.
Medicare
This level includes individuals covered by Medicare Advantage and Medicare. It also consists of the persons that have Medicare coupled with another non-Medicaid coverage, but in which case, Medicare is the primary payer. This level does not include seniors who boast employer-sponsored coverage, are employed full-time, and those enjoying coverage of both Medicaid and Medicare.
Currently, Medicare plays a crucial role in the provision of health but also financial security to approximately 60 million elderly individuals as well as young people with various disabilities. The program also aids in the payment of numerous medical care services. Notable among these services include hospice care, hospitalization, preventative services, visits to physicians, prescription drugs, home health care, and stays in skilled nursing facilities. Exemplifying its importance in the provision of health care, Medicare spending in 2017 accounted for about 15% of overall federal spending and 20% of the national health spending. The majority of individuals under Medicare have numerous health challenges. Notable among these include health-related limitations in day-to-day living activities and chronic conditions. Likewise, most beneficiaries of Medicare have modest incomes. According to KFF's website, in 2016, about one third (32%) of Medicare beneficiaries suffered from a functional impairment while a quarter (25%) are reported to have had either poor or fair health. Also, more than one person in every five (22%) was suffering from five or more chronic health conditions.
Employer
This level includes persons that are covered via a former or current union or employer as either a dependent or policyholder. It is estimated that the annual premiums for the employer-sponsored family health coverage reached about $20,576 in 2019. The figure indicated a 5% rise from the previous year. On average, workers paid $6,015 to meet the cost of their health coverage. For a single coverage, the average deductible among the covered workers in an insurance plan with a general annual deductible was estimated at $1,655. It is also estimated that about 56% and 99% of small and large firms provide health benefits to at least a section of their workers. Ultimately, the overall offer rate is placed at 57%.
Military
This level primarily includes the persons covered under the veterans or military administration.
Non-Group
This level includes the individuals covered using a policy that is purchased directly from a given company either as dependent or policyholder
Uninsured
This level includes the people that have no health insurance as well as those whose coverage falls solely under the Indian Health Service. The majority of the uninsured come from low-income households, and at least one member of the family works. There is a consensus that there are increased chances of adults being uninsured compared to children, indicating limitations in the availability of public coverage in some states. Also, compared to non-Hispanic Whites, individuals of color have an increased risk of being uninsured. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reduced the problem significantly by addressing existing gaps in health coverage, challenges still exist. For instance, about 27.9 million non-elderly people were uninsured in 2018, indicating an increase of about 500,000 individuals from 2017.
References
Claxton, G., Rae, M., Long, M., Damico, A., Foster, G., & Whitmore, H. (2016). Kaiser Family Foundation. Health Research & Educational Trust .
Kreider, A. R., French, B., Aysola, J., Saloner, B., Noonan, K. G., & Rubin, D. M. (2016). Quality of health insurance coverage and access to care for children in low-income families. JAMA pediatrics , 170 (1), 43-51.
