Ho Alice, Collins Sara R, Davis Karen, Doty Michelle M
Issue Brief (Commonw Fund). 2005 Aug(854):1-12.
The role of informal caregivers is becoming increasingly important as the U.S. population continues to age and cost-containment strategies promote shorter hospital stays. There are currently 16 million working-age adults caring for a sick or disabled family member, according to data from the Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey. Caregivers are less likely to be working, to miss days of work when they are employed, and to lack health insurance coverage. This may leave them financially vulnerable and unable to obtain needed health care. Indeed, one-half of caregivers reported not getting care because of cost issues, and three of five caregivers experienced problems with medical bills. Policies to expand Medicaid and Medicare would improve caregivers' ability to access health care for themselves and their families, as well as help eliminate the financial strain of going without health insurance.
随着美国人口持续老龄化以及成本控制策略促使住院时间缩短，非正式护理人员的作用变得越来越重要。根据联邦基金双年健康保险调查的数据，目前有1600万处于工作年龄的成年人照顾生病或残疾的家庭成员。护理人员工作的可能性较小，就业时更有可能旷工，且缺乏医疗保险覆盖。这可能使他们在经济上变得脆弱，无法获得所需的医疗保健。事实上，一半的护理人员报告称因费用问题而未接受治疗，五分之三的护理人员在医疗账单方面遇到问题。扩大医疗补助和医疗保险的政策将提高护理人员为自己和家人获得医疗保健的能力，同时有助于消除没有医疗保险带来的经济压力。
