Full Citation
Title: Vice Quad: Four Negative Health Behaviors and Their Relationship to Insurance
Citation Type: Dissertation/Thesis
Publication Year: 2009
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Abstract: The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that some 46.6 million Americans, or roughly 16 out of every 100 people, lack health insurance. Of those who have no health coverage, about one-quarter have an income of $25,000 or less,1 which suggests that not only is the most costly medical care not being received, but neither is routine preventative care like physicals or checkups and follow-ups. Put in the simplest terms, doctors cost money and no dollars means no doctors, with the likely result over time of worsened health. When people are unwell, the cost gets passed on to the rest of society through lost productivity, a greater need for public services, longer wait times in emergency rooms, and, in the case of untreated mental health problems, compounded costs to public safety in the form of more police calls, court hearings, and incarcerations. Eventually, even burials can become a drain on public coffers.The issue at the heart of achieving truly universal health care hinges on answering the unknowns: How much will it cost to cover the health needs of people who currently dont have insurance? How will these costs be covered? Who are the uninsured? How did they become that way? And what role can they themselves play in getting well? Information is the key to getting closer to achieving accessible health coverage for everyone, and reducing the burdens that weigh on individuals and society as a whole. It stands to reason that if we can learn more about the uninsured, we can better answer the questions standing in way of policy and action...
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Authors: Sachs, Emily
Institution: Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
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Advisor: Maria J. Hanratty
Degree: Master of Public Policy
Publisher Location: Minneapolis, MN
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Data Collections: IPUMS Health Surveys - NHIS
Topics: Health
Countries: United States