Posts Tagged ‘health’

For the first time ever all US counties have been scored and ranked in terms of the overall health of their residents and compiled in the 2010 County Health Rankings. The data will allow health officials to compare the statistics of their county with demographically similar counties. This effort is an attempt to bring comprehensive health data to the local level in order to stimulate action towards improved health. Anyone now can go online to see how their country ranks within their state in regards to a variety of health outcome measures and health factors organized into the broad categories of mortality and morbidity, health behaviors, health care access, socioeconomic factors, and environmental factors. To see where your county ranks, visit www.countyhealthrankings.org.

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A survey recently released by the American Psychiatric Association has found that American workers are hesitant about seeking mental health care for fear of confidentiality issues and possibly losing status at work. Among the 1,129 people surveyed 76% believed their work status would be damaged by seeking treatment for drug addiction, 73% for alcoholism, and 62% for depression, compared with 55% who thought seeking care for diabetes would affect their work status and 54% for heart disease. In total only about 40% of respondents thought their employers were supportive of employees seeking general and mental health care, which sounds counterproductive, especially since research (and logic) shows that people who receive proper health care are healthier and more productive. [HealthDay/Businessweek]

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In an effort to curb healthcare spending, some insurance companies have tried to increase copays for outpatient visits in an effort to decrease the overall rate of visits to the doctor’s office. However, a new study from Brown University published in the Jan. 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine is showing that this strategy has some unintended consequences. After looking at some Medicare managed care plans that implemented such copay hikes between 2001 to 2006, the researchers noted an increase in hospital usage. Although these plans had 19.8 fewer annual outpatient visits per enrollee, they consequently had 2.2 additional hospital admissions and 13.4 more inpatient days per 100 enrollees. And as we all know being hospitalized is PRICEY. The authors estimate that by increasing outpatient copays in the short term Medicare plans might save $7,150 per 100 enrollees, but inpatient spending would swell by $24,000 per 100 enrollees in the year after the co-payment increase, thus not really saving any money at all. [via Medline Plus]

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As you may know, the latest news in the US health care reform debate is whether private for-profit insurance companies can honestly and competently offer comprehensive health insurance at prices which every American can afford. Senators are working on a proposed bill which will give a federal agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the power to negotiate with insurance companies to offer national health plans similar to those offered to members of Congress. If these plans do not meet criteria set forth to make coverage affordable for all, it would trigger the government to offer a “public option” which will compete with private insurers. But many, including lawmakers, do not support such reform which would replace the public option with a purely private approach. However, if acceptable, affordable and comprehensive coverage existed, does it matter who administers it? Perhaps not, provided that certain measures were in place. Other capitalist countries like Japan, Germany, and Switzerland all mandate that each citizen have health insurance, be it through private insurers, community-based plans, etc. The catch is that insurers cannot make a profit on basic health care or deny anyone based on preexisting conditions. If the government is able to successfully negotiate with insurance companies and also offer some public assistance to pay for premiums, then perhaps this proposal can be a capitalist compromise that will bring forth some much needed social change.

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University of Chicago researchers estimate that over the next 25 years the number of Americans with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes will soar from 23.7 million to 44.1 million. Not only that, medical spending related to diabetes care and management will climb from $113 billion to $336 billion annually. Diabetes is a chronic illness which often requires daily medication, insulin, glucose monitoring supplies, lab tests and frequent visits to the doctor. It is also a disease which could be potentially prevented, which is why primary preventative care is so important (and sorely lacking) in the U.S. As the researchers state, “Without significant changes in public or private strategies, this population and cost growth are expected to add a significant strain to an overburdened health care system.” With these new figures, the study will hopefully influence policymakers during this time of uncertainty in the future of U.S. healthcare. [via Medical News Today]

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In the midst of the U.S. healthcare debate, a minor provision appears to be stirring up some controversy. The provision, inserted by Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) with the support of Democratic Sens. John F. Kerry and the late Edward M. Kennedy (both of Massachusetts, home to the Church of Christ, Scientist), would require insurers to consider covering Christian Science prayer treatments as legitimate medical expenses. The church believes that spiritual healing in the form of prayer treatments is an effective alternative to conventional interventions. However, opponents of the measure are concerned that this could open the door for other groups to seek medical legitimacy for practices that lie outside of science. But, there is precedence for this. Namely, the IRS allows the cost of prayer services to be counted as tax-deductible medical expenses. Is this blurring the line between church and state? Should spiritual health and healing be overlooked as an integral part of physical and mental well-being?  [via LA Times]

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Poor education predisposes one to poorer health. Study after study has confirmed this link, and now experts are honing in on the reasons for it and what can be done.  “Persons with a higher education tend to have better jobs, and better income, better benefits,” said David R. Williams, a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and staff director for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Commission to Build a Healthier America. These “better benefits” not only include more accessible healthcare but can include factors such as the ability to take time away from work to see the doctor. As well, people with higher levels of education tend to have more resources to cope with stress and life, such as access to a health club to exercise during periods of stress. Being more educated also means that a person can better understand the complexities that go along with modern medicine. In fact, a report from May, 2009 found that adults who did not graduate from high school were 2.5 times more likely to be in less than very good health, compared with counterparts who have a college degree. Williams is advocating that health promotion should be taught earlier in schools and that improvement in literacy rates could better the health of people as they become adults. [via Businessweek]

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San Francisco is the first city in the US to offer a health plan for its uninsured citizens. The plan, called “Healthy San Francisco,”  was launched two years ago and has received high marks in independent studies. Currently, three-quarters of San Francisco’s uninsured adults have enrolled in the program which guarantees access to medical services. “Healthy San Francisco is not insurance,” and doesn’t function outside of the city limits. But ”any uninsured adult who lives in San Francisco and earns up to 500% of the federal poverty level annually is eligible. … Patients must pick a medical home out of a network of more than 30 public and private clinics, physician groups and hospitals within the city limits. The idea is that patients get consistent care and the system avoids duplicating services. … Preventative services, care for illness and chronic conditions, hospital stays and prescriptions are all covered.” The funding for the program comes from public funds as well as an employer mandate. Restaurants and businesses may also contribute to the fund by way of an additional “fee” added to their patron’s bills. [Los Angeles Times via Kaiser Health News]

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According to an analysis released by The Commonwealth Fund this week, private insurance premiums for employer-sponsored coverage will rise by 94% by the year 2020. This is on top of the 119% increase that has already occurred between 1999-2008. These premium increases were greater than four times the rise in family incomes during the same period, even prior to the current recession. And these are only the premiums alone, not including out-of-pocket costs – deductibles, co-pays, and miscellaneous fees – which have also risen. This is why medical bills have become the number one cause in 62% of bankruptcies. Yet, instead of reining in cost and saving us money, private insurance companies will continue to increase their premiums. Regardless of how we end up dealing with our current health care situation, any genuine reform must counter the rising cost of health insurance premiums. [via The Commonwealth Fund]

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Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. surprised US companies this week by backing President Obama’s health care plan which, in part, requires all but small employers to provide insurance coverage for workers. ”As a company, we believe the present health-care system is unsustainable and making the country’s businesses less competitive in the global economy,” said Wal-Mart. However, some believe this is simply Wal-Mart’s strategy to circumvent a measure that is being considered by the Senate Finance Committee which will result in more burdensome health insurance requirements for companies that employ lower-wage workers. Whatever the case may be, it is the rising cost of health care in this country that is hurting both businesses and workers – by restricting wages and growth of businesses. Good health is not a commodity, an economic product that can only be purchased by those with wealth. Companies should not be making money off of our health care needs.

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