CRS Issue Statement on Private Health Insurance Reform

Bernadette Fernandez, Coordinator
Analyst in Health Care Financing


Seven out of ten Americans have health coverage through the private health insurance market. Access to such coverage is an ongoing concern for legislators and other policymakers as the cost of health care continues to rise and more individuals experience problems obtaining private coverage to help pay those costs. To assist individuals, families, and employers in obtaining health coverage, the 111th Congress will continue to consider health reform legislation. 

Broad health reform efforts attempt to simultaneously improve the health care we receive, and change the ways and how much we pay for it. The last time Congress considered comprehensive health reform was in 1993-94. While comprehensive reform was not passed, Congress enacted a number of incremental health reforms during the intervening years. Nonetheless, job-based health insurance premiums have more than doubled since the early 1990s, and the number of persons without health coverage continues to increase. Given these trends, the current debate over health reform focuses primarily on the expansion of health insurance coverage (both private and public) and containment of costs. Other health care issues, such as changing the way care is delivered to improve quality and increase efficiency, has also been included as part of comprehensive reform.


Date of Report: January 14, 2010
Number of Pages: 4
Order Number: IS40426
Price: $7.95

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