A Review of Data on the U.S. Health Sector Fall 2004

Abstract

This report presents information on the state of the U.S. health sector in late 2004. It includes data on the uninsured and underinsured and their access to health care, underinsurance for long-term care and mental health, and the rising costs of health insurance and health care. The author presents data on the increasing social inequalities in health and access to health care; the role of corporate money in health and health care; and the hospital and pharmaceutical industries. The article also includes updates on the consequences of the Medicare prescription drug bill and the state of Medicare spending, and seniors' spending, on drugs; the results of some recent public opinion polls on health care; information on labor, labor unions, and health insurance; and some international comparisons of health insurance. The article concludes with some useful sources of information on single-payer, universal health care.