According to a recent survey:

• 58% of Americans say say health insurance companies would be justified in setting higher rates for people who smoke. • 41% of Americans support setting higher rates for those who are significantly overweight According to a July survey: • 45% of Americans say they are overweight • 19% of Americans say they currently smoke Source: "Americans Back Higher Health Insurance Rates for Smokers," Gallup Inc., August 12, 2013, http://www.gallup.com/poll/163925/americans-back-higher-health-insurance-rates-smokers.aspx

FACTOID

According to a recent report, the percentage of workers with health insurance coverage in their own names fell from 60.4% to 55.9% between December 2007 and August 2009 (immediately before and after the economic recession), then rose to 56.6% by December 2009, but fell back again to 54.7% by October 2011—while the economy expanded. Source: "Workplace Health Coverage Falls, Despite Economic Recovery," Employee Benefit Research Institute, July 18, 2013, http://www.ebri.org/pdf/PR-1035.18July13.Notes.HI.pdf

Voluntary Benefits Market by Seller

Benefits Brokers 55% Career Agents 21% Traditional Worksite Brokers 14% Enrollment Companies 8% Occasional Producer 2% Source: Employee Benefit Advisor, March 2013

Today's Datapoint

21% … of the public supported Part D when it launched in 2006, but 90% of enrollees today view it favorably, according to John Gorman, founder and executive chairman of Gorman Health Group.

Quote of the Day

“The population we are trying to connect with [via insurance exchanges in Missouri and Kansas] isn’t all that engaged. There is a lot of confusion around the ACA. Some people think it was repealed or that there have been changes to the law that may or may not apply to them. They are currently looking at it through a political prism rather than as a real offering.” — Wayne Powell, vice president of executive services and chief of staff for BCBS of Kansas City, told AIS’s Inside Health Insurance Exchanges.

Average Medical Care and Prescription Drug Costs per Person for Hospital Employees

Hospital Employees All U.S. Employees All Members $4,793 $4,380 Employees Only $5,828 $5,331 Publication Source: HealthLeaders Media, May 2013 Data Source: Truven Health Analytics

Today's Datapoint

7 million … people will enroll in public exchanges in 2014, increasing to 24 million by 2016, according to new projections from the Congressional Budget Office.