missouri news

St. Louis Beacon: Nurse practitioners fill a gap in rural health care, 12/158/11
There are no doctors in Pilot Grove, Mo., but the town's 825 residents have perhaps the best alternative source of health care, thanks to an enterprising nurse practitioner.

Columbia Daily Tribune: Coverage numbers increase, 12/14/11
The number of young adults lacking medical coverage has shrunk by 2.5 million since the new health care overhaul law took effect, according to a new analysis the Obama administration is to release today.

Moberly Monitor-Index: Cracking the health insurance code, 12/13/11
Starting in 2012, health insurance companies and employers must provide information in a way that is clear and easy to understand.

national news

Kaiser Health News: Medicare penalties for readmissions could be a tough hit on hospitals serving thepoor, 12/19/11
James Breedin cannot keep track of how often he has been admitted to Howard University Hospital for heart problems.

Washington Post: Concern growing over deadlines for health care exchanges, 12/18/11
With many states unwilling or unable to get insurance exchanges operational by the health-care law's deadline of Jan. 1, 2014, pressure is growing on the federal government to do the job for them.

New York Times: Health care law will let states tailor benefits, 12/17/11
In a major surprise on the politically charged new health care law, the Obama administration said Friday that it would not define a single uniform set of "essential health benefits" that must be provided by insurers for tens of millions of Americans.

The latest news is available at
www.CoverMissouri.org

cover missouri feature

Updated: Overview Of U.S. Health Coverage
Background on the different types of health insurance available

Most Americans have some type of health insurance coverage. Yet, many are confused about the type of coverage they have or that is available. An Overview of U.S. Health Coverage briefly discusses private and public health insurance. This updated fact sheet also highlights costs and trends in health coverage.

Almost two-thirds of people with health coverage had private insurance in 2010. Employer-sponsored insurance is the most common source of health coverage for Americans under age 65. Less than 10 percent of individuals buy a health plan directly from an insurance company.

The other major source of health coverage comes from public programs, which include:

Medicare, the federal health coverage program for older adults and people with permanent disabilities;
Medicaid, the state and federal program providing coverage for the low-income;
Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the state and federal program providing coverage to children; and
Military and veterans health care.

Learn more

Overview of U.S. Health Coverage

Happy holidays! We’ll see you in the New Year.

Cover Missouri is a project of the Missouri Foundation for Health. Learn more here.