Report

The RWJF Index rose 0.5 points in September to 96.6, from 96.1 in August.

This report describes the level of core advocacy capacity among the leadership teams at the beginning of the Consumer Voices for Coverage (CVC) program, a 12-state initiative funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Out-of-pocket health care costs could increase by more than 35 percent in every state by 2019, if the health system is unchanged.

Covering Kids & Families Access Initiative (CKF-AI) was developed in 2003 to learn more about the variety of access barriers that can prevent meaningful use of insurance coverage even after children and families are formally enrolled. This first phase of the follow-up evaluation was led by Carolyn Needleman, Ph.D., of Social Research Associates.

As Consumer Voices for Coverage began implementation, an assessment of policy-makers’ views was conducted between July and October 2008. Mathematica Policy Research conducted baseline interviews with key policy-makers in each of the 12 CVC states.

To establish alliances that could advance the goals of the Consumer Voices for Coverage (CVC) initiative and outlive it, RWJF required applicants to form a leadership team of partner organizations to mobilize the consumer advocacy network within their states. Mathematica, Inc. designed a survey to collect data about the structure and activities of the leadership teams.

Four focus group discussions were held with Consumer Voices for Coverage (CVC) grantees and leadership team members attending the program’s annual grantee meeting in September 2008.

What are Americans most afraid of when it comes to health care? How many are delaying the care they need? Are consumers confident or worried about the future?

Survey published by the New England Journal of Medicine shows strong physician support for mixed public-private proposal.