Some things are improving. Excerpts from a NY Times article:
Health Plans Must Provide Some Preventive Tests at No Cost
By ROBERT PEAR, Published: July 14, 2010
WASHINGTON The White House on Wednesday issued new rules requiring health insurance companies to provide free coverage for dozens of screenings, laboratory tests and other types of preventive care.
. . . The new requirements promise significant benefits for consumers if they take advantage of the services that should now be more readily available and affordable.
. . . In general, the government said, Americans use preventive services at about half the rate recommended by doctors and public health experts.
The rules stipulate that no co-payments can be charged for tests and screenings recommended by the United Ststes Preventive Services Task force, an independent panel of scientific experts.
.. The administration said the requirements could increase premiums by 1.5 percent, on average.
Health Plans Must Provide Some Preventive Tests at No Cost
By ROBERT PEAR, Published: July 14, 2010
WASHINGTON The White House on Wednesday issued new rules requiring health insurance companies to provide free coverage for dozens of screenings, laboratory tests and other types of preventive care.
. . . The new requirements promise significant benefits for consumers if they take advantage of the services that should now be more readily available and affordable.
. . . In general, the government said, Americans use preventive services at about half the rate recommended by doctors and public health experts.
The rules stipulate that no co-payments can be charged for tests and screenings recommended by the United Ststes Preventive Services Task force, an independent panel of scientific experts.
.. The administration said the requirements could increase premiums by 1.5 percent, on average.