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| 79 Million Struggling With Health Insurance and Me... »
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| Many Americans Forgoing Treatment to Save Money on... »
| Health Insurance Premiums Go Up, But More Slowly »
| Schwarzenegger Seeks to Curtail California Individ... »
| Affordable Health Insurance Has Pros and Cons »
| Affordable Health Insurance Still Hard to Find, bu... »
| Should Health Insurance Be Based on Lifestyle Choi... »
| Small Business Health Insurance in Maryland Gets B... »
| Massachusetts Health Insurance Plugs On »
Affordable medical insurance is already hard enough to come by, but for those who need obesity treatment it may soon become even more difficult to find. The rising costs of obesity have already been attributed to growing healthcare costs in America. Around 60% of Americans are either overweight or obese, costing billions in treatments for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. This is why many lawmakers have suggested a "merit system" in order to make affordable medical insurance available for some - but for others, namely the obese, it would become even more expensive. The "merits" would be awarded to those within a healthy BMI, while the costs of obesity treatment would be paid for by those who are obese. This sounds fair to some, but too costly to others. And, now that Reuters has reported a greater incidence of medical debt associated with obesity treatment and employer health insurance, things aren't going to get any easier. According to the article, "over an average of three years of follow-up, workers with higher BMIs tended to file more workers' compensation claims. People with BMIs of 40 or more had twice the rate of claims as people at recommended weights -- especially claims related to back, wrist or arm, neck or shoulder, knee, foot or hip injuries." With employers already straining to offer any kind of medical insurance, will it be long before the overweight or obese are denied coverage at all levels? Sadly, what would really help those who struggle with their weight are regular medical checkups, complete with the kind of professional guidance that only a doctor can provide. Too bad that guidance may soon be unavailable to those who need it most.
At MSN Health a disparity in medical coverage, and lack of proper colon cancer treatment, is directly linked to a higher percentage of deaths among African Americans from this form of cancer. Other cancers have recently been linked to a greater genetic incidence within non-white communities. Breast cancer, for example, seems to appear in a more virulent form in Hispanic and African American Women. This means that regardless of what kind of medical coverage they have, non-white women are more likely to die from breast cancer if they get it. But that's not the case with colon cancer. Around 52,000 people die every year of colon cancer, and another 112,000 will be diagnosed, making colon cancer treatment an important, and expensive, tool for treating the disease. And more African Americans will be unable to access that treatment, due to their lack of medical coverage. The article makes it clear: "social, economic and health care inequalities -- not genes -- are probably to blame for black Americans' higher rate of colorectal cancer death compared to whites." What this means is that with proper health insurance, many non-white Americans could be saved from an unnecessary cancer related death. Affordable medical coverage is the key to protecting non-white communities from diseases like these, by providing checkups that could identify or prevent the onset of cancer altogether, and by providing access to cancer treatments that could keep victims of the disease alive. This, more than any other reason, is why the healthcare system needs to redefine health insurance, and provide coverage of some kind at affordable rates to all Americans.
New studies conducted on unhealthy baby boomers are revealing some disturbing findings that hint at even higher prices and lower availability for future health insurance plans. In a study reported by MSN Health, "a growing body of evidence suggests that [ baby boomers ] may be the first generation to enter their golden years in worse health than their parents." While the boomers are less likely to smoke and are more aware of most health dangers, issues like obesity and diabetes have changed the way that health insurance plans are put together, and priced. And then there're prescription drugs. This generation has made the use of prescription drugs more than popular, it's almost necessary (an idea that has been conceived and pushed on them by both pharmaceutical companies, and many doctors). And with more than 78 million baby boomers struggling with such health concerns, there may soon be "crisis" approaching regarding not only how to afford healthcare, nor how to design good health insurance plans for them, but more important, how to properly care for millions of Americans facing deadly diseases.
Finding and keeping affordable health insurance for women is proving to be much more difficult than it is for men. Studies at the National Women's Law Center, and reported at huliq.com, found that even women who do have medical coverage are more likely than insured men to go without needed health care because of costs. Also, a higher percentage of women than men struggle with medical bills. Women are at a disadvantage because they have greater health care needs than men do. As a result, "33% of insured women and 68% of uninsured women don't get the health care they need because they can't afford it." Sadly, all the studies in the world regarding breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes and more won't do any good until affordable health insurance for women makes it possible for them to find and keep the kind of medical coverage they need to stay healthy.
In an exciting development, the californiaprogressreport.com reports that affordable California health insurance may be on the way, as legislation passes for the first time in California history to control increases in medical coverage premiums. The legislation in question would be AB-1554, which is an unglamorous name for an exciting bit of lawmaking. According to this new law, HMOs and health insurers would need to receive approval from the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) or the Department of Insurance (DOI) for increases in premiums, co-payments, coinsurance obligations and deductibles. In short, they can't raise the rates without permission from the state. And with more than 6.5 million uninsured, affordable California health insurance is a dream come true for many, many individuals who just can't afford the skyrocketing prices for medical coverage and healthcare. So congratulations to California citizens, and with luck perhaps all states will take the initiative to make affordable medical coverage more available to all Americans.
At cnn.com, genetics and race have been linked to cancer rates and to the outcomes of cancer treatments. But, what about access to health coverage, once the biggest indicator of the kind of medical treatment available to Americans today? According to researchers at Windber Research Institute in Pennsylvania and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, "minorities are much more likely to develop and die from cancer than the general U.S. population." In their study, breast cancer genes were compared between white and African American women in order to evaluate why it is that African American women are more likely to die from this disease. Their preliminary research identified two genes found in normal breast tissue that may promote breast cell growth in African Americans. And, these findings are independent of health coverage factors, meaning that on top of dealing with less access to health insurance, proper medical care, and modern cancer treatments, minorities and specifically minority women may be genetically disposed to more aggressive types of cancers. Here is yet another reason why we need comprehensive health coverage in this country that is affordable and available to all. Those who need it most are the least likely to get the cancer treatment that could save their lives. Not to mention the regular checkups that could educate potential cancer victims on how to prevent, or watch for, signs of the disease before it's too late.
Utah health insurance had both good and bad news to report this month, as adults find more affordable health insurance options, while children go without. According to ksl.com, "close to 90,000 Utah children now do not have health insurance." That's a 26% increase in one year and a 63% jump from 2001. And while many states offer state insurance programs, Utah health insurance doesn't offer state programs until July, and then only in limited supply. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), a federally funded state health insurance program, was halted in September because of a lack of funds. There are many theories as to the rising number of uninsured children, most of which are related to growing population alongside outrageous healthcare costs. When CHIP becomes available again, there will certainly be a scramble to cover as many children as possible. Regardless, Utah health insurance must expand to include children. They represent one of the most vulnerable populations, and protecting their health today will protect the quality of their life to come.
MSN Health released good news this week as studies find that doctors do a good job of treating coronary heart disease before lab work can determine a heart attack. On the other hand, it's too bad that those who can't afford decent medical insurance coverage rarely get these kinds of life-saving treatments. Of course, it's wonderful to hear that doctors are doing everything they can to save lives. Coronary heart disease is the #1 killer in America, killing more people than all cancers combined. But sadly, too often it's the size of someone's pocketbook, and whether or not they have medical insurance coverage, that determines whether or not they will survive a heart attack. Less affluent Americans who don't have insurance are more likely to wait when they have symptoms of heart disease, so when they do get to a doctor the condition is much more advanced, and much more expensive. And the same goes for all sicknesses; having health insurance means having regular checkups that can stop disease before it becomes really dangerous, or even fatal. Hopefully, as medical insurance coverage takes center stage for upcoming elections, there will be an opportunity to protect all Americans from heart disease, and from the physical and economic costs of not offering affordable insurance options for everyone.
Obesity treatment has been in the news again, as UK researchers discover a commonly occurring gene variant that may explain why some people become overweight while others do not. Will this kind of discovery change the way that individual health insurance is applied to those who suffer from obesity and obesity related disease? At medicalnewstoday.com, the findings of the study reveal that there is indeed a gene that occurs in those who have a greater susceptibility to weight gain and type 2 diabetes. And with such discoveries come questions regarding the obesity treatment options that are most popular today, and their cost. If obesity proves genetic in nature, should individual health insurance cover it in the same way that other inherited diseases are covered? But dramatic shifts in obesity treatment, or in premiums paid for those with individual health insurance, aren't about to change. At most, those with two copies of the obesity gene are likely to weigh around 6.6 pounds more than those who don't have the gene. What does this mean? Mainly that it's lifestyle and environment that effect weight gain, not genetics. And those who do suffer from obesity or obesity related disease still need health insurance, since regular checkups can provide the kind of support required to make healthy changes in lifestyle.
The New York Times reports that Massachusetts health insurance is poised to become the first in which medical coverage will be available to almost everyone in the state. State officials claim that under the plan, they expect that all but about 65,000 of the 328,000 adults who are currently uninsured will be able to get affordable coverage. If it passes, the new proposal for medical coverage will set a "sliding scale of affordability standards in which, for example, a single person earning $40,001 a year would be expected to pay no more than 9% of income, or about $300 a month, for health insurance; a single person earning $25,000 a year would be expected to pay a much smaller percentage, about 3.3% of income, or $70 a month." And, to top it all off, Massachusetts health insurance will also include some prescription drug benefits and more expansive coverage. How are they pulling it all off? By paying for it; the proposal will cost the state $13 million more than the $200 million it was planning to spend. It's going to be a costly and carefully planned tight-rope walk for legislators, but if it all goes through, Massachusetts will proudly call themselves the state with the most expansive medical coverage in the country.
In yet another distressing health report released this week, the high cost of health coverage is leading to the suffering and early demise of Americans, this time by making cholesterol lowering treatments too expensive to use. According to MSN Health, many patients taking statins to lower their cholesterol stop taking the drugs because of co-payments and shared drug costs. Statins are manmade chemical compounds, taken in pill form, that limit the natural production of LDL (bad cholesterol) in the body. And, new changes in the prescription medication coverage in health coverage plans like Medicare (among many others), make these life-saving cholesterol lowering drugs impossible to afford. The real irony here is that, though health insurance agencies save money in the short term by making drugs expensive, by making some drugs too expensive they end up costing themselves us much as the consumer. Cholesterol lowering drugs save lives and prevent heart attacks, and as it says in the article, “the cost to insurance companies to treat a heart attack is far more than the cost to prevent one." One option might be generic drugs, which are more affordable and available via most health coverage plans. Consumers just need to make sure that their particular plan includes generic drug coverage to enjoy the benefits of statins without the whollop to their pocketbook.
Medicare insurance and its inability to protect Texas children is the main topic at a recent reuters.com article. But what goes unsaid is that the lack of affordable family health insurance is the biggest problem that parents face today when they want to protect the health of their children. According to the article, Texas on Monday asked a U.S. court to accept a settlement ending a 14-year fight over whether it failed to provide Medicaid to poor children, an accord that could cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year and subject it to strict supervision. At the same time, by boosting doctor's and dentist's reimbursement rates by 25% and 50%, this would lead many medical practitioners in Texas to treat children they can't take care of right now, even when they're covered by Medicare insurance. In Texas 2.8 million children aren't insured; After California, Texas has the largest number of uninsured children of any state in the country. Clearly there's a problem here, and that problem is that there is a tremendous shortage in affordable family health insurance. Of Texas children who are uninsured, six out of ten live in a family whose head of household is employed full-time throughout the year. Yet, their parents can't afford to protect the health of their children because of the rising costs of healthcare. Hopefully the court ruling will lean towards greater reimbursements for doctors and dentists who accept Medicare coverage. And while this would only work as a short-term solution, perhaps it will lead to changes in our healthcare system that could make affordable health insurance, for everyone, a reality at last.
A former assistant superintendent of the William Floyd school district in Long Island was sentenced to probation and community service Tuesday after admitting he stole $56,000 from his New York health insurance plan. But can you really blame the guy? At newsday.com, we find that Rocco DiNapoli of South Setauket admitted claiming he was still married so that his ex-wife would be covered by his school district New York health insurance plan. As difficult as it is to find and keep decent health coverage these days, it's easy to see how health insurance fraud might seem more acceptable. There are 3 million uninsured New Yorkers unable to meet the rising costs of health coverage. That's 25% of the New York population. With health care costs skyrocketing well beyond inflation, and employers covering less and less for their employees, the situation has become critical. Until New York health insurance is more available to its citizens, there will likely be a lot more health insurance fraud, alongside the medical debt, and unnecessary suffering that comes out of a broken healthcare system.
The lack of affordable health coverage in America today has been linked to an increased rate of stroke in the last 5 years. At emaxhealth.com, a study in the April issue of the Journal of the Society of General Internal Medicine found people without health insurance are more likely to forego routine physical exams, and had a higher risk of being unaware of a personal diagnosis of high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol levels - all risk factors for cardiovascular disease. And a reduced awareness of cardiovascular risk factors is associated with increased rates of stroke and death. Of course, health coverage is most difficult to find for those who are lower on the economic scale. Though, these days, even the middle class can't afford decent health coverage. As a result, poor people are more likely to suffer from stroke than those who make more money. Here again is how a poorly designed and managed healthcare system is hurting Americans. Hopefully, upcoming legislation will make it easier to afford health insurance. In the meantime, the most basic health coverage that includes preventative checkups would help to prevent stroke, and a host of other diseases that plague the uninsured.
At medpage today studies reveal that cigarette smoking has costs beyond those suffered by the smoker. In the workplace, the increase in sick days and in lowered performance costs employers a lot of money. But, that's nothing compared to the effect that smoking has on health insurance coverage and costs. According to the article, "smokers take an average of nearly eight more sick days annually than their non-smoking co-workers," accounting for 42% of all sick days taken. This could theoretically cost employers and business millions a year. But compare that to the costs of cigarette smoking in healthcare. Smoking costs the US up to $167 billion, every year. $75 billion of that in direct medical expenses, with the rest in lost productivity from ill patients missing work. That's more than $3,400 a year for health insurance coverage and lost productivity each smoker! And while smokers pay around $5 a pack, that same pack of cigarettes costs society $40. Yep, for each pack of cigarettes sold in America we pay $40 in healthcare costs. So while cigarette smoking definitely has an impact on the workplace, it's in our ever rising health insurance coverage premiums that the real money is lost.
At kentucky.com, the increase in cancer survivors brings to light the growth in cancer treatments and their great success combating this disease. But, in a world where cancer medications can cost as much as $7000 a month, how will this affect personal health insurance plans? The news in the article is definitely good; the number of cancer survivors has tripled in the last 30 years, thanks to earlier diagnosis and advanced medications and technologies. But these cancer treatments are costly, and not everyone can afford them. Personal health insurance helps for those who have it, but with 46 million uninsured the odds of catching and preventing their cancer are significantly lower. And as the number of survivors goes up, so will costs. The number of people diagnosed with cancer in 2005, including those who had finished treatment was 11.7 million, representing about 1 in 26 Americans. By the year 2020 this figure will be 18.7 million, representing about 1 in 19 Americans. Right now cancer treatments rank among the most expensive. As we use technology to save lives, that technology just won't fit into an already dysfunctional healthcare system. For now, the smartest thing people can do is to search for personal health insurance that can offer protection from the costs of cancer. For those with Medicare, supplemental insurance could be a good bet. Hopefully, upcoming legislature will reflect the changing medical needs of Americans, making cancer care equally available to all those who need it.
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