Archive for the ‘Health Care’ Category

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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New technologies developed after studying shark skin will soon be appearing at a hospital near you. Scientists at Sharklet Technologies, a Florida-based biotech company, have been studying shark skin for the interesting fact that bacteria just doesn’t seen to stick to it. Under the microscope, it appears that shark skin is composed of diamond-shaped bumps that give it this unique property. Hospital tests using plastic tubing (as used in intravenous lines and catheters) printed with this shark skin pattern showed that microorganisms which can cause potentially serious harm, such as E. coli and Staphylococcus Aureus, were unable to establish colonies large enough to infect humans. The technology is currently pending FDA approval for medical use, but in the interim look out for Sharklet to appear on high-touch surfaces like restroom door handles later this year. [via Popular Science]

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Stanford University researchers have found that regions with high concentrations of MRI machines also have increased rates of back surgery among patients who present with new back pain. Is there a problem with this? Well, perhaps, especially since we know that increased surgery rates doesn’t necessarily improve patient outcome. In fact, surgery has its risks and often times will not completely cure back pain. Between 2000 and 2005, the MRI availability in the U.S.  more than tripled, from 7.6 to 26.6 machines per 1 million people. Each machine costs more than $2 million and one low-back scan costs $1,500. Increased rates of scans and surgeries increase the total health care dollars spent on treatment of back pain, one of the most common reasons for physician visits today. [via Medical News Today]

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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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A new law, which took effect last Friday, is allowing U.S. college students to take up to one year away from school for medical reasons while remaining on their family’s health insurance plan. “Michelle’s Law” is named after college student Michelle Morse who decided to remain a full time student, against the recommendation of her doctors, while undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer because she could not afford to be dropped from her parents’ health insurance policy. Previously, students between the ages of 19-24 could continue their health coverage under their parent’s policy as long as they remained as a full-time student (12 credits). If they became too ill to continue as a full time student they would either lose their insurance or could continue their coverage under the C.O.B.R.A. portion of the parent’s policy for an additional premium. By law C.O.B.R.A. can be as much as 102% of the premium for up to 36 months; many families cannot afford this expense.  Michelle Morse was an aspiring teacher who died six months after she graduated from college at the age of 22. [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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If you have doubts that lack of health insurance can have deadly consequences, consider these new findings from the American Journal of Public Health: Americans without health insurance are 40% more likely to die than those with private insurance. The Harvard study reiterates a 1993 Institute of Medicine study, which found a 25% higher death risk among those without insurance compared with privately insured adults. Why does the uninsured face this greater risk? The Institute of Medicine identifies three factors that influence health outcomes: not getting care when needed, not having a regular source of care, and not getting continuity of coverage – all of these are difficult goals to accomplish for the uninsured. Approximately 45,000 Americans of working age die each year because they lack health insurance. [via Yahoo! 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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New legislation being introduced this week by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) aims to help patients with post-hospital needs. The bill, called the “Medicare Transitional Care Act”, would create a new Medicare benefit to coordinate care during a person’s transition from inpatient to outpatient settings. This includes assistance with equipment needs, referrals for care, scheduling needs, and even medication instruction assistance. The goal is to ensure smooth and successful transitions to home or living facility in order to avoid re-admission to the hospital. Statistics show that 20% of people with Medicare who visit the hospital will return within a month.

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