Health Reform Quiz

A: True. While the majority of people with chronic conditions are under 65 years of age, the likelihood of having a chronic condition increases as you become older.  The number of people with chronic conditions is rapidly increasing, and it is estimated that if we do not intervene now, by 2025 nearly half of the population will suffer from at least one chronic disease, imposing a large burden on the U.S. healthcare system.  With health reform, a greater focus on prevention can help limit the number of chronic diseases Americans acquire before the age of 65.

For more information on prevention please see Chronic Conditions.

A: False. Nearly 60 percent of premature deaths in the U.S. are attributable to these factors, which could be addressed through investments in public health and prevention. We need comprehensive health reform that recognizes the opportunity for prevention to improve Americans’ health.

For more information on prevention please see the Healthier America report.

A: True. A recent study supported by the Commonwealth Fund found that the United States ranked last among 19 other industrialized countries on preventable deaths. While the other countries significantly improved between the 1997-98 and 2002-03 study periods, the U.S. improved marginally on the measure. Health reform is needed to assure that preventive measures can be taken to avoid these unnecessary deaths.

For more information on prevention please see the Commonwealth Fund report.

A: Insuring Americans currently without insurance would save between $75B and $125B per year or ¾ percent of GDP. Health reform is essential to protect American families from the increasing cost of care and assure all Americans high-quality affordable health care.

For more information on how health reform will benefit businesses and save taxpayer dollars, please see The Economic Case for Health Reform.

A: False: If we continue on the same trajectory one of every THREE dollars we spend will go to health care. This is not sustainable for America’s economy; we cannot maintain the status quo. Health reform will help reduce the burden on businesses and will assure all Americans have high-quality affordable health care.

For more information on the increasing cost of health care and its burden on the US economy please see The Economic Case for Health Reform.

A: The average primary care doctor spends four hours per week on administrative tasks – roughly the same amount of time it would take to watch two feature length films. Health reform will cut down on administrative costs by investing in Health IT and electronic medical records.

For more on administrative costs please see amednews.com.

A: Chronic disease makes up 85% of healthcare expenditures in the United States – most of which are preventable. To reduce costs it is paramount that health reform invests in prevention and wellness.

A: True: 72 Million people reported problems paying medical bills – 3.6 million more than the 68.4 million people that live in New England, Texas, Florida and Ohio combined. We need to pass health reform now in order to assure all Americans quality affordable healthcare and protect them from bankruptcy and debt as a result of medical costs.

A: 25 million Americans spend 10% or more of their annual income on out-of-pocket costs compared to 11.4 million who tuned in to watch the season premier of “Lost.” Health reform is needed to protect families from bankruptcy and debt as a result of healthcare costs.

A: 18,000 people die from complications as a result of being uninsured each year while 5,657 people died from workplace injuries in 2007.  In order to reduce preventable deaths it is imperative that health reform assure all Americans affordable coverage and improve patient safety.

A: False: More than 45.6 million people are uninsured while only 14.5 million people buy insurance through the individual market outside of an employer health plan. Health reform is needed to assure all Americans affordable high quality care.

A: In 2019 families will be paying 68% more for health insurance and out-of-pocket expenses if we do not reform healthcare. We need to protect families from debt and assure quality affordable healthcare.

A: False: Women, especially in the deteriorating economy, are more likely to be adversely affected by the cost of care. They are 11% more likely than men to have medical debt or cost-related access problems. It is imperative that we protect families from high healthcare costs and that all Americans have quality, affordable, care.

A: True, if trends continue it is estimated that 65.7 million people will be uninsured in 2019.  The combination of Texas and California, the country’s two most populous states, is roughly 61.2 million.  This daunting projection is why meaningful reform, that assures every family quality care, is needed now.  For more information on dangerous trends in healthcare please see Health Reform: The Cost of Failure.

A: Spending on health insurance premiums. Spending on health care premiums increased 119% while the average cost of a home increased 67%.  During the same ten year period wages increased only 34% and inflation increased by 29%.  We need to reform healthcare in order to protect families from growing health care costs.  For more information on health insurance premiums see the Employer Health Benefits Survey.

A: The number of Americans who lack a usual source of healthcare. 40 million people report that they do not have a usual source of healthcare while 25 to 35 million people tune in to watch American Idol. People most likely to experience a barrier to a usual source of care are uninsured and in the lowest income brackets. Providing a usual source of care will cost the system less and ensure better health. Health reform is necessary to reduce disparities and provide all Americans with quality healthcare.

A: Yes. People who do not speak English at home are three times more likely to be uninsured. Over 35% of all Blacks and Hispanics who do not speak English in the home do not have health insurance. Reducing health disparities and providing culturally sensitive care are important facets of a high quality health care system.

A: True. 60% of early deaths are a result of behavioral influences such as obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, and living conditions. Early death and poor health can be reduced with a healthcare system focused on prevention and increased access to care.