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NEW YORK, Mar 08, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Most healthcare experts say the proportion of U.S. residents without health insurance can and should be reduced to 8 percent in 10 years, a survey said.
The Health Care Opinion Leaders survey, by the non-profit, non-partisan, private research group Commonwealth Fund, also found most surveyed experts say employer-sponsored coverage should continue to cover about two-thirds of individuals under age 65, a spokesman said Tuesday.
A wide majority (84 percent) say a Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan-type option would be the most effective way to help small employers and the self-employed obtain affordable coverage. In contrast, one-third favor so-called Association Health Plans as a policy option.
There was consensus the proportion of individuals with Health Savings Accounts would increase in the next 10 years, but only to 5 percent. One-fifth support HSAs as a policy option for expanding coverage.
Harris Interactive did the survey from Feb. 3 to Feb. 15 via e-mail sent to 1,251 opinion leaders, of which 255 responded. The survey has a sampling error of plus or minus 6 percentage points.
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
