Recent data from CMS shows that Colorado spent $4 billion less than the national average on hospital care in 2020. The average per capita health expenditure in Colorado that year was $3,163 compared to the US national average of $3,855, which meant that Coloradans spent $692 (18%) less per person on hospital costs … Read more
With the ban on COVID-19 vaccination mandates for employees of government entities in the state taking effect on Sept. 24th, new data shows that vaccinated employees in Pima County have cost the county “significantly” less in health care costs than unvaccinated employees. To promote vaccination rates, the Pima County Administrator established a vaccine … Read more
California began its 6-year implementation of the newly-established Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) in July 2022. With stakeholders waiting in anticipation for the first steps of implementation to be completed, Kristof Stremikis, Director of Market Analysis and Insight at the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), says he expects the office to be successful in … Read more
Health care costs rose by 49% per person over a 6-year period in Oregon as prescription drug prices increased greatly. The 49% jump represented an average increase of 6.9% per year from 2013-2019, according to a new Oregon Health Authority report. Medicare costs grew 58% per person, while commercial costs increased 45%. Medicaid … Read more
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer—along with 13 other state governors—sent a letter to congressional leadership urging them to make advanced premium tax credits (APTCs) permanent federally last month. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) expanded and enhanced APTCs and is set to expire at the end of this current plan year. According to the U.S Department … Read more
New research by the Washington Health Alliance (WHA) indicates that health care patients who manage multiple or complex conditions account for a large portion of the industry’s total costs. These patients, while small in number, accounted for a disproportionate share of the costs due to the more expensive nature of their treatments and … Read more
Colorado became the first state in the country to have a state-designed health care insurance option for its residents approved by CMS last Thursday. Approval of the Colorado Option through the federal 1332 waiver now means the state can proceed with rate setting for its standardized health insurance plan, which is mandated to be sold … Read more
Data out of FAIR Health shows Florida with some of the highest costs for complex COVID-19 treatment and hospitalizations in the country. The data, which was released as part of FAIR Health’s “States by the Numbers” series, evaluates both out-of-network and in-network charges for inpatient and outpatient COVID care. Using its repository of over 35 … Read more
According to results from the Colorado Health Foundation (CHF)’s recently released annual Pulse Poll, 80% of Coloradans support government intervention for lowering the cost of health care in the state. Of this 80%, 59% said they strongly support such interventions, while 21% said they’re somewhat supportive. Only 14% were in opposition. According … Read more