Mary Anne L. Graf’s Post

With increasing healthcare costs, finding affordable options for church staff can be a challenge. Church leaders may wonder if a QSEHRA is the right choice for their organizations. Here's how a QSEHRA can work for your church: https://lnkd.in/eNAG29uR

The Commonwealth Fund released a report that found every state in the U.S. has deep racial and ethnic disparities in their healthcare systems. Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous Americans experienced huge differences in their health outcomes, healthcare access, and quality of care. White and Asian residents had the best health outcomes across all states. The report suggests that policies and investments are needed to make healthcare more equitable, such as supporting primary care physicians, social service providers, and community health workers in Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous communities. The report also highlights the need for providing more and better health insurance. #Healthcare #Equity #Access

“The outcome of the 2024 election is uncertain, but some things are sure: the United States is failing to protect the health and welfare of its residents, it is possible to do better, and policies can and do have a real impact on the lives of everyday Americans.” The election, now less than a month away, will have profound implications for the future of health care in the U.S. Decisions made by the next administration and Congress will determine how many people have health insurance, who can afford their health care, and whether care is delivered equitably. On To the Point, the Commonwealth Fund’s Rachel Nuzum, MPH and Reginald D. Williams II explore Democratic and Republican health care priorities. While a Harris administration would likely take steps to expand health care access and coverage, they say, a Trump administration would likely focus on reducing federal involvement in the health system and controlling costs through deregulation and program funding cuts.

💰 Navigating the Affordability Crisis in Healthcare: Key Insights from the Commonwealth Fund Survey 💰 In a recent report by the Commonwealth Fund, the stark reality of healthcare affordability in the U.S. has been laid bare. The findings reveal that millions of Americans are struggling to pay for necessary medical care, highlighting a critical issue that affects not just individual health, but the overall well-being of our communities. 🔍 Key Takeaways: Rising Costs: A significant portion of the population is facing financial barriers to accessing healthcare, with many delaying or forgoing necessary treatments. Impact on Health Outcomes: The inability to afford care is leading to worse health outcomes, exacerbating chronic conditions and increasing long-term healthcare costs. Need for Systemic Change: The survey underscores the urgent need for policy reforms that prioritize affordability and accessibility in healthcare. As professionals in the industry, we must advocate for solutions that address these challenges. Whether through innovative healthcare models, policy advocacy, or community engagement, we have a role to play in shaping a more equitable healthcare system. 💬 Join the Conversation: What are your thoughts on the findings? How can we work together to improve healthcare affordability for all? Let’s discuss in the comments! Did you know that Employer-sponsored health care premiums have increased by 43% from 2013 to 2023? #Healthcare #Affordability #CommonwealthFund #HealthEquity #PolicyChange #CommunityHealth #HealthcareInnovation

Recently I spoke with Australian Health Journal about the ‘State of private healthcare in Australia’. I highlighted some of the key changes and trends we’re seeing and how they are impacting the private healthcare sector, and discussed new models of care that patients are increasingly expecting. It’s always important to review emerging trends in healthcare and work with regulators and providers so patients can access the best possible care at an affordable price.   I focused on a few key points, which I outline below: ✔️ Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Australians have joined health funds in record numbers to access timely surgery and avoid long public hospital waiting lists. Over 14.7 million Australians now have private health cover, and this helps to take pressure off the public system. ✔️ There have been emerging trends around the growth of private health insurance membership - increasingly we’re seeing uptake by professional women as they enter and stay longer in the workforce and high membership growth among skilled migrants. ✔️ Demand for healthcare services is impacted by age, and healthcare needs change over the course of your life. For example, PHA data shows that mental health is now the top reason health fund members aged under 59 are going to hospital.  ✔️ There’s a significant increase in demand for out of hospital care and more convenient healthcare options. At PHA we are working with regulators to allow health funds to fund more care in the community and further ease pressure on the public sector.   Access to the full interview can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gFR4U6ga Private Healthcare Australia #PrivateHealthInsurance #PrivateHealthcareAustralia 

The rising cost of healthcare is a major public health concern, impacting individuals and families across the country. As healthcare costs continue to climb, many people are forced to make difficult decisions about whether to prioritize health or other essential needs. The Impact of High Healthcare Costs: • Delayed or Forgone Care: Many individuals delay or forgo necessary medical care due to high out-of-pocket costs. • Financial Strain: Medical debt can lead to significant financial hardship and bankruptcy. • Worsening Health Outcomes: Delayed or inadequate care can exacerbate health conditions and lead to poorer health outcomes. Addressing the Challenge To tackle the issue of healthcare affordability, policymakers and healthcare providers must work together to implement strategies such as: • Price Transparency: Increasing transparency in healthcare pricing can empower consumers to make informed decisions. • Competition and Market Reform: Promoting competition among healthcare providers and insurers can help to lower costs. • Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Addressing factors like poverty, housing, and education can improve overall health and reduce healthcare costs. • Expanding Access to Affordable Insurance: Ensuring that everyone has access to affordable health insurance is crucial. By addressing these issues, we can work towards a future where healthcare is accessible and affordable for all. 📖Read "Addressing Health Care Affordability and Its Impact on Public Health" to learn more about the specific strategies and policies that can help address healthcare affordability and how you can help. 🔗https://lnkd.in/e26bkSvt #health #disparities #equity #givingcompass #giving #donors #philanthropy #NGO #guidetogood #charity #nonprofit #socialimpact

The US health care system ranked last among 10 high-income countries in equity, access, and outcomes, according to The Commonwealth Fund's latest report, Mirror, Mirror 2024. 🇺🇸 Despite being the highest spender, the US trails behind nations like Australia and the Netherlands in key performance measures. Dr Joseph Betancourt, president of The Commonwealth Fund, urges for systemic change: “Too many Americans are living shorter, sicker lives because of this failure. It’s time to build a health system that works for everyone.” Learn more about what needs to change to improve affordability, access, and equity: https://lnkd.in/e6p2dcAP #Healthcare #HealthEquity #PolicyChange #PublicHealth #USHealthcare

COMMONWEALTH FUND PINPOINTS GREATLY UNDERPERFORMING AREAS OF U.S. HEALTHCARE - U.S. ranks last out of high-income countries in health system performance "America ranked last overall among 10 high-income countries in health system performance — despite spending nearly twice as much on healthcare, according to the research foundation, which has compared the U.S. healthcare system with those of other nations for the past twenty years." "The foundation’s analysis adds onto a mountain of research highlighting how the U.S. spends far more on healthcare than other wealthy countries, despite similar healthcare utilization. Much of the difference has been attributed to higher prices in the U.S., rooted in causes ranging from high hospital consolidation tamping down on competition, to inefficiency and administrative waste, to a lack of universal health insurance coverage." “While other nations have successfully met their health needs, the United States health system continues to lag significantly,” said David Blumenthal, former president of the Commonwealth Fund." "Meanwhile, rising prices have fueled increases in out-of-pocket costs for covered consumers, which could incentivize patients to skip care." "Life expectancy is more than four years below the average of all ten countries, due in part to the ongoing substance abuse epidemic and pervasive gun violence, the report found. The U.S. also had higher rates of excess deaths due to the coronavirus pandemic compared to other nations." "Meanwhile, the other nations included in the report spent between 8% and 12% of their GDP on healthcare as of last year. The two countries with the highest overall performance — Australia and the Netherlands — also had the lowest healthcare spending as a percentage of their GDP." #healthcare #ushealthcare #commonwealthfund #healthcaremetrics #healthcareleaders #hospitalmanagers #healthcaretransformation #healthcareeconomics #physicians #nursepractitioners #nurses #ama #acc https://lnkd.in/ecGTumgF

Excited to share this article that highlights insights on tackling Social Determinants of Health (SDOHs)! It delves into how these social factors impact access to healthcare and the innovative solutions healthcare leaders are implementing. SDOHs encompass a range of factors, from income disparities to racial bias and discrimination, language barriers, and geographic limitations. These challenges can hinder individuals from accessing vital care, perpetuating health inequities. At Providence Health Plan, we're committed to addressing these disparities through initiatives like our food insecurity pilot program, a vital component of our Health For All initiative. By understanding and addressing the root causes of health inequities, we can create a more inclusive healthcare system that prioritizes the needs of all patient populations. Join me in the fight for health equity! Let's ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has access to the care they need to thrive. #HealthEquity #SDOH #HealthForAll https://lnkd.in/eYBnvXP4

Great article from Rebecca Pifer of Healthcare Dive... New #research from The Commonwealth Fund reveals that the #UnitedStates ranks last among 10 high-income countries in #health system performance, despite spending nearly twice as much on #healthcare. The top-ranking countries were Australia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The U.S. lags in various metrics, including #lifeexpectancy and #maternalmortality, due to higher prices stemming from #hospital consolidation, inefficiency, administrative waste, and lack of universal #healthinsurance. The U.S. faces significant financial barriers to care due to its fragmented insurance system, leaving millions uninsured.