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Portfolio Project – Week 4

Karen L. Stephenson

Bryant & Stratton College

ENGL202 – Research and Writing

Mr. Kevin Demster

Date Due: 09/30/2023

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Working Thesis Statement:

First, the pandemic induced significant uncertainty about claim payments and within

financial markets in 2020. It appears that health insurers held new premiums in cash

and short-term investments to account for this uncertainty about the impact of the

pandemic on claim payments and to avoid investing in volatile markets. Their money

and short-term investment holdings increased from $49.9 billion to $73.3 billion (from

20.4% of invested assets to 26.3% of invested assets) between the first and second

quarters of 2020; the bulk of the increase was in cash equivalents. In the remaining

quarters of 2020, the amount of assets that health insurers held in cash and short-term

investments stabilized at a slightly lower value of $65.0 billion, compared with $73.3

billion in the second quarter of 2020. By the end of 2021, the share of assets invested in

cash and short-term securities was 18.4%, similar to the 2019 share.

Second, the pandemic caused depressed economic conditions, which led the

Federal Reserve to lower the federal funds rate from 1.50%–1.75% to 0%–0.25% in

March 2020 to promote economic recovery. As a result, there was a 71% decrease in

interest income earned from short-term investments in 2020, as these investments are

highly responsive to changes in the short-term interest rate. This contributed to a 13.6%

decrease in the industry’s investment income 2020. The industry’s investment income

decreased by 5.3% in 2021 as the federal funds rate remained near the zero lower

bound through 2021. Still, the sector’s realized capital gains were positive in 2020 and

2021, suggesting that changes in investment income were primarily a result of the

change in interest rates, (shrivatsa, I. 2022, September 1).

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In addition, Given the proven effectiveness of vaccinations in preventing the

spread of infectious diseases and the serious health risks associated with not getting

vaccinated, should vaccinations be mandated for everyone?

Outline:

How did canceling and postponing elective surgeries and procedures impact the

healthcare and Insurance industry?

1. Discuss the impact of the cancellations and postponement of elective surgeries and

procedures.

2. Discussion of some of the positive impacts of postponements of elective procedures.

B. How has the COVID-19 pandemic added to the problem of various claim errors?

Discussion of claim denials? Who is to Blame?

The COVID-19 pandemic has added to the problem of various claim errors. Besides

COVID-related claims issues, there are additional problems with claim denials. Bundling

errors have also created a problem 2021 for hospital bottom lines, causing more than

one-third of inpatient charge denials with an average value of 5,300 dollars each.

2. Discussion of public health consequences of not getting the COVID-19 vaccination

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For individuals, the decision to be vaccinated has both short-term and long-term

implications: in the short-term, this can mean the absence of illness and disease,

and in the long-term, a reduction of the spread of infectious diseases within a

community. Vaccinating a child can also significantly reduce the spread of some

illnesses and diseases since children's exposure to environments such as childcare

or school can mean a higher risk for infection. For this reason, most states and

countries have public health immunization programs designed to reduce the spread

of disease among communities and individuals, offering greater protection and

opportunities for individuals.

Despite the proven efficacy of vaccinations at reducing the spread of infectious

diseases, some individuals are still opposed to receiving vaccines. Reasons for this

can vary, from religious or moral concerns to a fear of potential side effects of the

vaccine. However, there are also severe risks associated with not receiving

vaccines, from the risk of infection from the illness to potential long-term

complications or even death. For instance, the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)

vaccine can prevent disease and complications associated with the measles virus,

such as pneumonia or even encephalitis, which can lead to long-term health

problems or even death.

Given the proven effectiveness of vaccinations in preventing the spread of infectious

diseases and the serious health risks associated with not getting vaccinated, the

advisory of the medical community to receive vaccinations is more valid than the refusal

of individuals to be vaccinated. Vaccinations offer protection against potential illness

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and disease, which is best achieved through as many individuals in a population as

possible receiving the vaccine. It is incumbent on individuals to take advantage of the

medical community's knowledge and guidance surrounding vaccinations to ensure the

health of their families and communities and to ensure that the spread of disease is

limited in the best possible way.

III. Conclusion

A. Summary of argument

B. Reflection/concluding thoughts about what we have learned about preparing for the

next pandemic?

C. Call to action for healthcare providers to be better prepared

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The effectiveness of vaccinations in preventing the spread of infectious diseases

and the health risks associated with not getting vaccinated. Why are so many still

not getting vaccinated? Should there be mandated vaccination?

B. Background

II.

A. How effective are vaccines in preventing disease?

1. Let us look at the scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of vaccines:

A worldwide World Health Organization study found that vaccines against childhood

illnesses helped lead to a 79% drop in mortality from infectious diseases since

2000.

2. Discussion of potential risks from not getting vaccinated: There are serious risks

associated with not receiving vaccinations, such as infection from the illness with

potential long-term complications or even death. For example, the MMR (measles,

mumps, and rubella) vaccine can help prevent some measles-associated

complications, such as pneumonia or encephalitis.

B. The need for individuals to receive vaccinations

1. Discussion of healthcare-associated risks: Vaccinations offer protection against

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potential illnesses and diseases, which is best achieved through as many individuals

in a population receiving the vaccine.

2. Discussion of public health consequences of not getting vaccinated: If individuals

do not get vaccinated, there is an increased threat to public health and an increased

risk of infection among entire populations.

III. Conclusion

A. Summary of argument: Given the proven effectiveness of vaccinations in

preventing the spread of infectious diseases and the serious health risks associated

with not getting vaccinated, Vaccinations offer protection against potential illness

and disease, which is best achieved through as many individuals in a population as

possible receiving the vaccine.

B. Reflection/concluding thoughts about the COVID-19 vaccinations: It is important

that individuals to take advantage of the medical community's knowledge and

guidance surrounding vaccinations to ensure the health of their families and

communities and that the spread of disease is limited in the best possible way.

C. Call to action for individuals to get vaccinated, not government-mandated

vaccination. Individuals should seek out accurate information, discuss their options
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with their physicians, and ultimately make decisions based on medical science and

the goal of reducing the spread of infection in their communities.

The vaccine gives hope to the healthcare industry, but challenges from COVID-19

persist: Insurance carriers worry about costs from delayed treatments and Medicaid

changes.

III. Point of View A (criteria 2)

COVID-19 impacted virtually every aspect of the economy, and the health insurance

industry is no exception. As a result, the NAIC took various regulatory actions toward

health insurers. Most of these actions focused on consumer cost sharing, telehealth,

premiums/cancellations, SEPs (Special Enrollment Period) rates, and forms.

VIII. Comparison/Additional Thoughts

IX. Conclusion
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REFERENCES

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the post-pandemic world: Solutions within existing State frameworks. Indiana Health

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Frederick, J. D., & Karl, J. B. (2021). The COVID-19 pandemic and Health Insurance

Regulation. Journal of Insurance Regulation, 40.

https://doi.org/10.52227/23554.2021

Henderson, J. (2021, January 21). Latest health pulse issues | crain’s New York

Business. https://www.crainsnewyork.com/health-care/vaccine-gives-hope-health-

care-industry-challenges-covid-persist.

https://www.crainsnewyork.com/portfolio/latest-health-pulse-issues

Hildreth, A. (2008). Attitudes of the public toward public opinion research and polling.

The SAGE Handbook of Public Opinion Research, 441–450.

https://doi.org/10.4135/9781848607910.n41

Juen, C.-M., Jankowski, M., Huber, R. A., Frank, T., Maaß, L., & Tepe, M. (2021). Who

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https://doi.org/10.1177/02633957211061999
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Khan, A. A., Abdullah, M., Aliani, R., Mohiuddin, A. F., & Sultan, F. (2023). Covid-19

vaccine hesitancy and attitudes in Pakistan: A cross-sectional phone survey of

major urban cities. BMC Public Health, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-

15905-3

Lupton, D. (2023). Attitudes to covid-19 vaccines among Australians during the delta

variant wave: A qualitative interview study. Health Promotion International, 38(1).

https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daac192

Moorthy.G(2020)Compulsory COVID-19 Vaccination?DOAJ,(6)

https://doi.org/10.7916/vib.v6i.7301

shrivatsa, I. (2022, September 1). The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Health

Insurers. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health insurers - Federal

Reserve Bank of Chicago No. 471,.

https://www.chicagofed.org/publications/chicago-fed-letter/2022/471#:~:text=The

%20pandemic%20affected%20health%20insurer,pressure%20on%20health

%20insurer%20costs.

Trescott, Paul B.”Health care industry and medical insurance” Salem Press

Encyclopedia, 2023,4p Item: 89550948

WP Company. (2021, August 17). “a tipping point”: Government officials, health groups

move to require coronavirus vaccines for workers. The Washington Post.

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