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The Democratic candidate debates have helped move healthcare to the top of voters’ priority lists. 55% of voters like the present healthcare system as opposed to 37% who would like to see it struck down, according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey. This is the highest approval rating since the Affordable Care Act was passed into law. Viewpoints from Craig Hasday This fact will represent a voting obstacle for Bernie Sanders supporters who have made Medicare for All a campaign centerpiece; people like their current healthcare plans. And while 52% of voters support Medicare for All, 66% would favor …

… professional if they or a family member were experiencing a problem.” The disparity between mental health awareness and procuring care seems to stem not from social attitudes about mental health, but the coverage and cost of care. In this same study, 87% of participants identified a lack of insurance as a barrier to seeking treatment, while another 81% cited cost concerns as a deterrent. Viewpoints from Rachel Gerard Even those who have comprehensive medical coverage often find gaps within their mental health care and limitations to their benefits. Limitations on counseling sessions, psychiatric evaluations and other forms of mental health

The Health Care Cost Institute found in their most recent Health Care Cost and Utilization Report that per capita healthcare spending increased by 4.4% in 2018 over 2017 spending, a slight increase in trend which was 4.2% in the prior year; however, from 2014 to 2018 healthcare costs increased at rates slightly lower than the general rate of inflation. Increases in health spending are impacted by our aging population, but the biggest increase is due to higher prices for drugs and medical services. Notably in the report, healthcare cost trends exclude the impact of manufacturer’s drug rebates …

… thus better able to serve the business and clients. You’ll want to keep them around and attract new top talent with your benefits. Consider this when writing your maternity and paternity leave policies and voluntary benefits offerings. STD offered on a post-tax payout schedule (meaning that when the employee receives the benefit, they do not have to pay taxes on it) is definitely something that all employers should think about. Viewpoints from Allison Hasday As I get farther along into my pregnancy, I’ve been thinking more about family leave benefits and policies and how they affect not …