Trouble ahead
This is from a British news service, which dares to say more than our own US media. I think we’re in for an even bumpier ride, and this means we will have to work even harder to get access to health care for everyone.
U.S. Recession Will Hurt Health Care
Oxford Analytica, 12.23.08, 06:00 AM EST
Even workers who keep their jobs may be affected as coverage is reduced or eliminated.
Health care is usually seen as a resilient industry during periods of economic downturn, but the current recession will have three key effects:
–The number of uninsured will rise. Most U.S. residents under age 65 have access to health insurance through their employer, and as layoffs continue, people will also lose their health coverage along with their jobs. Moreover, some employers could look to cut fringe benefits–in addition to freezing wages–in order to avoid firing workers. The U.S. health care system, in effect, links health care provisions with corporate welfare–as firms run into problems, many workers will see their health care benefits cut or eliminated.
–Spending on health care will be squeezed as incomes fall and lending is hard to come by. Even people who manage to keep their jobs–and their health insurance benefits–will face significant financial risk from medical expenses, especially if credit is hard to obtain. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), the percentage of people reporting that their family had difficulty paying medical bills in the past year rose from 21% in March 2002 to 32% in October 2008.
–Care will be put off. Although there is evidence of some over-consumption in the U.S. health care system, a large portion of health care is necessary. However, many people will be forced to delay or forgo health care consumption–especially the poor, even allowing for the relief provided by Medicaid.
State governments, who shoulder much of the cost of Medicaid, are currently seeing their budgets stretched by the recent economic downturn–43 states are already facing deficit trouble during their 2009 or 2010 fiscal years. The problem is that while tax revenues follow the business cycle, demand for Medicaid is counter-cyclical–it naturally grows as unemployment rises, incomes fall and job-based health insurance declines. Medicaid spending–which typically comprises a significant portion of state budgets–faces severe fiscal pressure.
Federal response. In the short run, federal policymakers will need to shore up the Medicaid program via one or more of three options:
–Direct federal aid;
–An expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), currently funded only until March 2009; or
–Simplifying Medicaid enrollment to provide coverage to those who are eligible more quickly.
The recession certainly increases the pressure, and desire, for broader health care reforms, while simultaneously putting fiscal limits on their extent. Phased-in change, rather than comprehensive reform that addresses both access to care and spiraling costs, is thus more likely.
Obama’s priority will be expanding health insurance coverage, rather than cutting costs. He plans to expand the SCHIP with congressional support in January, with other elements of his health care platform–offering tax credits for health insurance, requiring employer contributions and expanding health IT infrastructure–developing more slowly.
Have a beer in May
Stop into Altamont Brewing, 1042 Haywood Road, West Asheville, any time in May and ask for their "charity" beer of the day. Buy one and Life o' Mike gets $1. In fact, we get a buck for each one sold. So go in every day and have one to support Life o' Mike.
Thanks, Altamont!
Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a peer support program for people with one or more serious or chronic medical issues or disabilities.
We aim to reduce isolation and fear among people who have conditions, including psychiatric illness, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, mild dementia or other cognitive disorder or disability, thereby reducing depression and complications as people learn to improve self-management of their medical conditions.
Patient Pals help alleviate feelings of isolation and frustration. They can help people develop a list of questions to ask the doctor and then accompany the person to the doctor to make sure all the questions are answered, taking notes to be sure the person understands the doctor’s answers.
Our trained volunteers also accompany their “Pals” to art exhibits, movies and walks outdoors, meet for coffee, call to check in and more.
Our Pals have experienced weight loss, improvement in diabetes, HIV, psoriasis, depression and more, just because they have someone who cares about them. Some relationships develop into longer-term friendships; other Pals move on to more independent lives.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
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.
Start From Seed
Life o' Mike has a new program- Start from Seed (SFS).
SFS is a volunteer doula program aimed at providing non-medical, comprehensive support to low income, high-risk women and families of Buncombe County focusing on three areas:
1. We help new doulas with certification and training in return for their participation as a volunteer doula for SFS
2. We mentor volunteer doulas with their first few clients
3. Our volunteer doulas provide birth and postpartum doula services to low income, high risk moms, providing support and tools to empower them as a new parent.
A birth doula is a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; a postpartum doula provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.
Start from Seed clients are referred to us from the Buncombe County Department of Health’s Nurse-Family Partnership Program, Western North Carolina Community Health Services, and Mission Hospital. The Program is intended and designed for growing clients’ inner strength and helping them gain empowerment to help them cope with the emotional, physical and mental challenges of childbirth, labor, and motherhood.
Our new moms and their infants have many needs. If you would like to help them get off to a good start, please visit our Start from Seed web site: Start from Seed, or call Program Director Chelsea Kouns at 804-814-9946.
Post a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.