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The 2008 Health Confidence Survey: Rising Costs Continue to Change the Way Americans Use the Health Care System

Americans continued to be battered by rising health care costs this year, with more than half of those with health insurance reporting they experienced higher costs. Some said the increases adversely affected their household finances and some said the U.S. health care system is so flawed that it should be completely overhauled, according to the 2008 Health Confidence Survey (HCS). Press release EBRI Notes Oct 7, 2008 16 pages

'IRA Assets and Contributions, 2007,' and 'Domestic Partner Benefits: Facts and Background'

IRAs: More retirement assets are held in individual retirement accounts than any other vehicle, totaling $4.75 trillion at year-end 2007. Domestic Partner Benefits: This article updates previous research by EBRI providing information on why employers offer domestic partner health benefits, legal issues involved, recent developments, and current data. Press release EBRI Notes Sep 11, 2008 16 pages

Sources of Health Insurance and Characteristics of the Uninsured: Analysis of the March 2008 Current Population Survey

The percentage of the non-elderly population (under age 65) with health insurance coverage increased to 82.8 percent in 2007. While the percentage of the non-elderly population with employment-based health benefits was unchanged between 2006 and 2007, and the percentage with public coverage increased, resulting in a decrease in the uninsured, this should not be viewed as an indicator of things to come in 2008. EBRI Issue Brief Sep 9, 2008 36 pages

Lessons From the Evolution of 401(k) Retirement Plans for Increased Consumerism in Health Care: An Application of Behavioral Research

The current trend in health care design toward “consumer-driven” health plans illustrates the same trend seen in 401(k) plans where benefit decision-making and responsibility have shifted from the employer to the worker. This report looks at lessons learned in the retirement realm with respect to offering workers choice, financial incentives, and more information and education. This is compared with the early evolution of consumer-driven health plans, which are still being driven solely by the market and not by legislation. EBRI Issue Brief Aug 12, 2008 28 pages

'The Impact of Immigration on Health Insurance Coverage in the United States, 1994–2006' and 'Saving for Health Care Expenses in Retirement: The Use of Health Savings Accounts'

The first article notes that more than 12 million immigrants in the United States were uninsured in 2006, accounting for almost 27 percent of all uninsured individuals in the country (press release). The second article finds that statutory contribution limits make it unlikely HSAs will play more than a minor part in savings for health care costs in retirement (press release). EBRI Notes Aug 5, 2008 16 pages