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Don’t Let Them Pull the Okey-Doke

Posted by: Rea Pañares on Oct 15, 2008

In the search for new solutions to reform the health care system,some policy makers are touting high-deductible health plans as a way to expandcoverage. These plans are often attractive at first because of their relativelylow monthly premiums, but a closer look shows they're not all they're crackedup to be. That's because medical costs are not covered until the deductible ispaid-an average of $4,000 to $5,000 per family.

What seems like a good deal at first can be a nightmare oncesomeone actually needs health care. This is especially troubling for certainpopulations. Because little is known about how these plans will affect racialand ethnic health disparities Families USA released UnequalBurden: The True Cost of High-Deductible Health Plans for Communities of Color,which describes the full costs of these plans and why they're simplyunaffordable for many communities of color.

In particular, it discusses three serious concerns that makehigh-deductible health plans less helpful-or even potentially harmful-forcommunities of color.

1. High out-of-pocket costs;

2. Incentives to delay or avoid necessary care; and

3. Barriers that will widen the health disparities gap.

As the debate around health care reform continues, let's work onfinding real solutions for the uninsured.