Source 1
Citation
Blumberg, L. J., Simpson, M., Buettgens, M., Long, S. K., Holahan, J., & McMorrow, S. (2020). Who are the Remaining Uninsured, and What do Their Characteristics Tell Us About How to Reach Them? The Urban Institute.
Summary
This comprehensive study by The Urban Institute explores the profile of the uninsured population in America and highlights the barriers to securing affordable healthcare insurance. The research pinpoints key groups with lower rates of insurance coverage, which include low-income adults, Hispanic and Black populations, and non-citizen immigrants. It emphasizes the issue of high healthcare costs, inadequate employer-sponsored coverage, and lack of public insurance programs as major hindrances to healthcare access.
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Contextualization
This source provides a clear picture of the uninsured segment of the population, which is a critical aspect of understanding the issue of healthcare access. Presenting this data can create an immediate connection with the audience, as it highlights the severity of the issue, emphasizing its widespread nature and its impact on diverse social groups.
Quote
“The cost of healthcare continues to be a barrier for many people, even those with insurance. High deductibles and co-payments can deter people from seeking necessary medical care, resulting in poorer health outcomes and higher long-term healthcare costs.”
Evaluation
This quote is particularly striking as it underlines how cost is not just a barrier to insurance but also to accessing care even for those insured. This detail will help to strengthen the argument that reform is needed, not only in the realm of health insurance but also in the broader healthcare system to ensure affordable, quality care for all.
Source 2
Citation
Sommers, B. D., Gawande, A. A., & Baicker, K. (2017). Health Insurance Coverage and Health — What the Recent Evidence Tells Us. New England Journal of Medicine, 377, 586-593.
Summary
This article reviews evidence from recent studies and argues that health insurance coverage significantly improves health outcomes. The authors provide statistical evidence linking health insurance to reduced mortality rates, improved mental health, and increased financial protection. They underscore the fact that uninsured people are less likely to receive preventive care and services for major health conditions and chronic diseases.
Contextualization
The statistics and evidence presented in this paper will add credibility to the argument for improved healthcare access. By discussing the direct benefits of health insurance, I can demonstrate to the audience the tangible, positive outcomes of increased health coverage for individuals and society at large.
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Quote
“Lack of health insurance is a fiscal death sentence on many levels. Uninsured people are less likely to receive medical care, more likely to have poor health status, and more likely to die prematurely.”
Evaluation
This quote is powerful, illustrating the dire consequences of lack of insurance. It underlines the urgency of addressing this issue and could be particularly effective in rallying the audience towards the cause of healthcare access and affordability.
Source 3
Citation
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2021). Health Insurance Coverage of the Total Population. KFF.
Summary
The KFF report provides an overview of the health insurance coverage in the United States, showing that in 2020, over 10% of the population, or 33 million people, were without health insurance. The report also highlights the inequalities in healthcare access among different income groups and geographical locations.
Contextualization
This source is useful for grounding the speech in up-to-date statistics about the current state of health insurance coverage. This information can provide the audience with an accurate understanding of the scale of the problem and can be used to emphasize the necessity of urgent action.
Quote
“In 2020, 33 million people in the U.S. had no health insurance. The poor and lower-income households have significantly higher uninsured rates.”
Evaluation
The quote starkly presents the number of people without health insurance and emphasizes the disproportionate impact on lower-income households. It’s a compelling piece of evidence that effectively highlights the economic and social disparities inherent in the current healthcare system, and therefore can be used to appeal to the audience’s sense of fairness and justice.
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