Skipping & Skimping: Healthcare in Hard Times
photo by interplast @ flickr
I recently read an article in the Strib about increases in applications for MinnesotaCare, the state’s insurance plan for low-income individuals. Applications are up 25% so far this year, and in July they were up 43% compared to July 2008.
So I began to dig around a little bit, looking for more information about what people are doing to meet their healthcare needs during the economic recession. According to “Rising Health Pressures in an Economic Recession,” a recent report by the Kaiser Family Foundation:
The uninsured and underinsured delay and forgo important healthcare due to cost. Many in jobless families delay or skip needed care or medicine for cost reasons, with adverse consequences for their health.
In Kaiser’s July survey, nearly half (49%) of adults reported they have put off some sort of needed healthcare over the past 12 months because of its cost. One in five have had problems paying medical bills in the past year. And about 1 in 3 are “very worried” about being able to afford healthcare services they need.
What are they doing to cut back on costs? One-third are trying home remedies or over-the-counter drugs instead of seeing a doctor. Depending on the illness, this may not be a bad thing—a steam bath of eucalyptus and tea tree oil can do wonders for the sinuses. On the other hand, if it’s a bleeding ulcer, eating TUMS like candy might land you in the hospital.
Perhaps more worrisome: More than one-quarter are skipping dental care or check-ups—this can have major negative long-term consequences if they are skipped for too long (and result in costly long-term treatment that could have been averted). About 1 in 5 have skipped a recommended medical test or treatment, and 1 in 5 have not filled a prescription. Fifteen percent have cut pills in half or skipped doses of medicine to stretch out a prescription.
Not good. And it’s only going to get worse. According to a story in the Washington Post, annual healthcare costs for employers are expected to increase 166% over the next decade, to $28,530 per employee. Let me repeat that astounding figure: 166%. That means that employee expenses will also likely increase 166%. Or more.
Clearly some sort of healthcare reform is needed. I don’t have the answers, but if you’re looking for a rather simple visual presentation of this really complex issue that’s relatively unbiased, check out this Back of the Napkin presentation.
What really gets my goat is that there are a good number of people (millions?) who would rather do nothing than something about the health care issues you describe. I don’t believe that passing health care reform legislation will solve all of the issues that exist – we don’t live in a utopia, after all – but certainly, it will improve the lot of millions of Americans who are currently uninsured or under-insured (like me!).
Interesting slide show until this assertion was made: “The conservatives didn’t want any change.” Question – why does the United Way feel they have to mislead the public?
Thanks for your comment and sorry I didn’t get to it earlier—I was whiling away my time at bookstores and parks in Toronto.
Of course not all conservatives are against healthcare reform, any more than all liberals are FOR healthcare reform. It’s difficult to find anything remotely balanced (while also being understandable) on this tinderbox of a topic. However, as I was viewing the Back of the Napkin presentation, sometimes I found myself nodding and other times I felt my hackles rise—which to me is a good indication that the presentation is fairly balanced.
It actually occurred to me, because this topic is such a tinderbox, to put a disclaimer on that particular blog entry indicating that in my opinion the video is a good (but not perfect) summary of health care reform complexity and options and does not reflect a stand of or endorsement by United Way. Next time I will listen to my instincts!
Thanks for your comment Duke. Our blogger, Liz, has been out of town and will likely respond to your comment tomorrow. In her absence, let me assure you and our other readers, that the video was not created by United Way, nor was it intended to represent “United Way’s official position” on the issue. Rather, it was intended to be something that may be helpful to those looking for a simple explanation of a very complex situation. Regarding the healthcare policy debate, United Way maintains a neutral position. However, we do have a position, and have invested resources, in improving access to healthcare for the most vulnerable citizens in our community. To learn more about United Way’s perspective on this and our work in this area (including our own video), check out: http://www.unitedwaytwincities.org/OurImpact/healthcare.cfm
(- Mimi Larson, Director of PR & Communications at United Way)
Really interesting – always spread the word. Getting excited about an update. For too long now have I had the urge to start my own blog. Guess if I wait around any longer I will never ever take action. I’ll make sure to include you in my Blogroll. Many thanks!!