GOVERNMENT & MEDICINE

Increasing health woes can collide with decreasing coverage for care

A midlife health insurance crisis looms for many in the near future, says a Commonwealth Fund report.

By Susan J. Landers, AMNews staff. Feb. 14, 2000.

Washington -- A new report reveals that for many Americans, the middle of life is a risky time when the onset of health problems could unfortunately coincide with the loss of employer-based health care coverage.

The report by the Commonwealth Fund, a health research group, found that as baby boomers move toward retirement, they face increasing risks for serious health problems and difficulties securing adequate insurance.

Aware of the scope of the problem, members of Congress and President Clinton have introduced proposals that provide tax credits to aid in the purchase of health insurance and expand existing government programs to include a larger number of adults currently without insurance.

"This report raises warning signs for the future health and economic well-being of millions of Americans who will be entering their retirement years over the next two decades," said Commonwealth Fund President Karen Davis.

The report was presented at a National Academy of Social Insurance meeting examining risks faced by older workers. The report, based on data collected from a survey of 5,002 adults ages 18 to 64, found that:

• More than one of every five adults ages 45 to 64 rated their health as fair or poor -- twice the rate found for adults younger than 45..
• Many more midlife adults than younger adults were out of the work force due to early retirement or disability, 18% vs. 2%..
• One-third of all midlife adults went without needed health care because of costs or did not have enough money to pay medical bills during the year. This rate was greater among midlife individuals in fair or poor health at 62% and nonworkers at 53%..
• One of eight midlife adults was uninsured. Among those with family incomes less than $35,000, the rate was nearly one of four..
• Seven of 10 uninsured adults ages 45 to 64 went without needed health care or had problems paying medical bills. Half of the uninsured gave negative ratings to the quality of care they had received, or reported getting no care at all during the year..
• More than one-quarter of midlife adults in fair or poor health were dissatisfied with the quality of their care..
• One-quarter of insured adults ages 45 to 64 rated their coverage as fair or poor. Significantly higher proportions of those in fair or poor health, 40%, and those with low incomes, 32%, gave negative ratings..

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