The economic crash and health care
The Associated Press had a story this week about how the economic meltdown has more people putting off health care. In part, it said:
The numbers show Americans are increasingly putting their health at risk:
— More and more are postponing needed care, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released Tuesday. The portion who said they or a family member have put off needed care climbed to 36 percent in the Oct. 8-13 telephone poll, up from 29 percent in April. Almost one-third had skipped a recommended test or treatment, up from 24 percent. In both cases, about one-fifth said their condition got worse as a result.
— The number of prescriptions filled dropped 0.4 percent for the quarter ending in June — the first time it hasn’t risen, according to IMS Health, which has been tracking such data for 12 years.
— A July survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found that 11 percent of Americans had either reduced the number of prescription medicines they take or cut the dosage by such means as splitting pills in half.
— Elective surgeries like hip and knee replacements, diagnostic tests and outpatient procedures fell roughly 1 to 2 percent in recent months at many hospitals, said Dick Clarke, president of the Healthcare Financial Management Association. While the decline seems small, the numbers typically climb 2 to 4 percent a year as the population ages.
— U.S. hospitals are reporting an uptick in emergency room patients, according to the American Hospital Association. … that includes a rise in uninsured patients with conditions that could have been treated elsewhere, and is expected to increase.
The U.S. unemployment rate has climbed from 4.7 percent to 6.1 percent over the past year, costing many newly jobless people their health insurance. But the uninsured are not the only patients feeling the economy’s sting.
Julie Shelley, a 49-year-old office manager and mother of three from West Milton, Ohio, said that because of the worsening economy and rising co-payments under her health plan, she is putting her husband’s medical needs first. He is a substitute teacher who has had kidney and pancreas transplants, is on a dozen medications and needs blood work every month.”
As I suspected would happen, the needs of regular people will be set aside so the wealthy can be taken care of. The legislation that bails out banks also bails out bankers. The loopholes are big enough to drive an armored truck full of government cash through.
And 30,000 people will die this year.
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a new peer support program for people newly diagnosed with chronic or serious illness or with a new disability and their caregivers.
Patient Pals are people who have experience with various illnesses and disabilities, who can help someone newly diagnosed or with a new disability work through the fear, frustration, confusion and grief often experienced in the first few months.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
People with new illness or disability fare better when they have a role model -- someone who can help them negotiate their new path in life.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.
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