government
Americans' opinion of health reform linked to type of health plan
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 20, 2010
People with consumer-directed health plans are more likely to expect the national health reform law to reduce their benefits than people enrolled in traditional health plans, a recent survey showed.
For example, 41% of enrollees in consumer-directed plans -- which often combine a tax-sheltered health savings account with annual deductibles of $2,000 or more -- expected the health reform law to reduce their health benefits.
However, only 30% of those in traditional health plans expected such benefit reductions, according to a survey released Nov. 18 by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The nonprofit research organization in Washington, D.C., focuses on health, savings, retirement and economic security issues.
Also, only 7% to 8% of respondents -- depending on their type of health plan -- said they are highly knowledgeable about the law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, 12% to 17% said they know very little about the law. Between 35% and 39% are somewhat knowledgeable, and 35% to 40% are not very knowledgeable.
The results are based on an online survey of 4,508 privately insured, working-age adults conducted in August 2010. The report is available online (link).
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/12/20/gvbf1220.htm.
