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Health Care Access in the News: september 11 - september 24, 2006

Consumer Health Coalition (CHC) has highlighted major news headlines and studies related to health care access from the past week. We hope you find this information interesting and useful!

 

HEALTHY CHILDREN & FAMILIES

ALLEGHENY COUNTY COUNCIL PASSES SMOKING BAN
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
By Anita Srikameswaran, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Allegheny County Council last night voted overwhelmingly to prohibit smoking in restaurants, bars and other workplaces, moving the legislation into the hands of the chief executive for approval. "We're going to go from the smoky city to a smoke-free city," council President Rich Fitzgerald said when he introduced the legislation. The ordinance passed on a 14-to-1 vote."

For full story: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06270/725335-85.stm

ALLEGHENY OFFICIALS FROWN ON PETITION
Saturday, September 23, 2006
By Lara Brenckle, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

"On Tuesday, 10 department managers presented a petition to County Council's Health and Human Service Department, stating deep job cuts have imperiled public health services, such as restaurant and nursing home inspections. The department also is burdened with paying for the health care of the Allegheny County Jail's 2,600 inmates. Correctional health care is continually over-budget, drawing more than $6 million over four years away from other public health initiatives, according to figures presented in the petition."

For full story: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_471898.html

MORE HISPANICS IN 'NEW GROWTH COMMUNITIES' FACE GREATER BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE, STUDY FINDS
Friday, September 22, 2006
By Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report

"Hispanics in smaller, more rural communities have greater barriers in accessing care than do Hispanics in larger communities, according to a report released on Thursday by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, the Bradenton Herald reports. The study classifies new-growth communities as areas where Spanish-speaking residents still number less than 5% of the total population, despite having experienced recent growth. The study finds that 31% of Hispanics living in new-growth communities are uninsured. Findings show that Hispanic patients and their physicians in new-growth communities reported having a more difficult time communicating than those in larger cities (United Press International, 9/21). In addition, among populations where people are unable to access routine medical care, children often miss vaccinations and treatment for contagious diseases, the report said."

For full story: http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=39989

CDC SAYS BLACK-WHITE VACCINATION GAP HAS DISAPPEARED
Thursday, September 21, 2006
By New Pittsburgh Courier, The Associated Press

"For the first time in at least a decade, the vaccination rate for Black children in the United States has caught up to that of youngsters in other racial groups, the government reported. “This is an important milestone. It shows you that racial and ethnic differences can be eliminated” in health care, said Dr. Walter Orenstein, an Emory University vaccination expert. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that a survey found no statistically significant difference in 2005 among Blacks, whites, Asians and Hispanics in vaccination rates for children ages 19 months to 35 months."

For full story: Click here

STRAPPED FAMILIES BOOTED BY FED POVERTY LEVELS
Thursday, September 21, 2006
By Violet Law, Pittsburgh City Paper

"If the federal government says your income is above the poverty line, does that mean your family can afford its most basic needs? The answer is a resounding no, according to a statewide advocacy group for women and children, Delaware County-based PathWaysPA. A single parent raising a pre-schooler and a school-age child in Allegheny County, the report says, would need to make $39,265 a year — or $18.59 hourly over each 40-hour week — in order to afford the necessary child care, food, housing and transportation. But under current federal poverty guidelines, so long as this family has an income of $16,600, they are not considered poor and may not qualify for federal assistance such as food stamps or cash assistance."

For full story: http://www.pittsburghcitypaper.ws/news/story.cfm?type=News%20Briefs#6770

EVENT HELPS KIDS BOUNCE OFF COUCH AND INTO GEAR
Sunday, September 17, 2006
By Anita Srikameswaran, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Nearly 400 professionals attended the Highmark Childhood Obesity Summit and more than 5,000 children and parents learned about healthy lifestyles at its sister event, Bounce, according to a Highmark spokesman. Since 1980, obesity has doubled among children and tripled in adolescents, according to data presented in the professional meeting. Kids are eating too many sugary, high-fat foods and not enough fruits and vegetables, and they are too inactive, she said. Real estate developments often don't have sidewalks or places to go, she said, and new buildings are designed so that elevators are highly visible and stairways are hidden, discouraging walking."

For full story: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06260/722512-114.stm

REPORT CALLS FOR OUTREACH TO UNINSURED HISPANICS
Thursday, September 14, 2006
By My-Thuan Tran, Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau

“Many Latinos hold low-wage jobs in small businesses that are not as likely to offer health insurance, according to a report issued by the Latino Coalition. The group said only one in four Latinos nationwide has employer-provided insurance. The main barrier to adequate health care for Latinos — along with poverty, language and low education levels — is not having health insurance, said Robert de Posada, the president of the Latino Coalition."

For full story: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/4188374.html

STATE LAGS IN LONGEVITY
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
By Karen Roebuck, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

“Life lasts longer in Hawaii, Minnesota and Utah. It's shorter in Pennsylvania. And shortest in Washington, D.C., and Mississippi. Geography, race and income have huge impacts on how long Americans live, according to a Harvard University study released Monday. Pennsylvanian's expected life span is 76.7 years, ranking it 31st among the states and Washington, D.C., which came in last with a life expectancy of 72 years. Allegheny County ranks 45th among the state's 67 counties in longevity at 76.7 years -- the state average. Dr. Bruce Dixon, director of the Allegheny County Health Department. said he was not surprised by the state and county's rankings because they reflect the lifestyles typically associated with a more industrialized region, such as eating more, exercising less and smoking."

For full story: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/health/s_470055.html  

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

EXPOSING A SILENT KILLER
Sunday, September 24, 2006
By David Hunt, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

"A Tribune-Review analysis of data provided by the state Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed a decrease in teenage suicide cases nationwide, but not in Pennsylvania. Local experts said more open dialogue about suicide and a better understanding of psychology and mood-altering medicines help explain the national decline. The most dramatic shifts were in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. While Westmoreland's average number of teenage suicides so far this decade is half of what it was in the 1990s, Allegheny has seen the annual average grow from 5.7 to 7.8."

For full story: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/health/s_471966.html

TO FIGHT STUTTERING, DOCTORS LOOK AT THE BRAIN
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
By Andrew Pollack, The New York Times

“It is estimated that about 1 percent of the population worldwide stutters, though that figure may be high. Men who stutter outnumber women by a ratio of about 4 to 1, for reasons not known. In most cases, stuttering begins between ages 2 and 6, when a child is just learning to speak. Those who stutter say the condition — marked by repetitions of syllables, long silences and the contortion of the face as a person seems to try to force the words out — can exact a terrible emotional toll. Many talk of jobs or promotions not received, of relationships broken or not pursued."

For full story: Click here  

AGING & HEALTH

CAREGIVERS' HEALTH IN 'DOWNWARD SPIRAL'
Sunday, September 24, 2006
By Janet Kornblum, USA TODAY

“More than 2.5 million family caregivers isolated in homes across America suffer from depression, stress and rapidly declining health, often putting the needs of loved ones before their own. And they often have nowhere to turn for help. That's according to a study to be released today that takes an in-depth look into the lives of caregivers who say their health is declining. The study by the non-profit National Alliance for Caregiving says caregivers often face a 'downward spiral of health that worsens as a result of giving care.'"

For full story: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-09-24-caregiver-health_x.htm

MANY MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES LACK COVERAGE IN PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT 'DOUGHNUT HOLE,' REPORT FINDS
Thursday, September 21, 2006
By Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report

“Eighty-eight percent of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in stand-alone drug plans under the Medicare prescription drug benefit are in plans that do not provide coverage during the so-called "doughnut hole," according to a report released on Thursday by Democrats on the House Ways and Means Committee, the AP/Boston Globe reports (Freking, AP/Boston Globe, 9/21). Under the drug benefit, beneficiaries are responsible for 100% of prescription drug costs between $2,250 and $5,100. Medicare drug plans generally cover 75% of drug costs after a $250 deductible up to $2,250, and then 95% of prescription drug costs beyond $5,100 (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 8/15). Beneficiaries can purchase Medicare drug plans that offer coverage during the doughnut hole, though those plans typically include higher premiums, the AP/Globe reports."

For full story: http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=39951  

HEALTH CARE POLICY & MARKETPLACE

UPMC STRETCHES OUT: MERCY HOSPITAL MERGER MAKES HEALTH GIANT'S FOOTPRINT EVEN BIGGER
Sunday, September 24, 2006
By Christopher Snowbeck, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The proposed merger of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh last week adds emphasis to what was already obvious: The health care giant's footprint now goes significantly beyond its original Oakland home. UPMC operates facilities all over the region but nowhere is its presence more pronounced than in the city's East End, where it's expanding in leaps and bounds."

For full story: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06267/724545-114.stm

WAL-MART TO TEST PRICE CUTS ON RANGE OF GENERIC DRUGS
Thursday, September 21, 2006
By Michael Barbaro, The New York Times

"Wal-Mart, the nation’s largest retailer, will test a program to sell generic prescription drugs to its workers and customers at sharply reduced prices, according to people briefed on the plans. The giant discount chain, which has used its size to knock down the costs of toys, clothing and groceries, will sell generic versions of about 300 widely prescribed drugs for as low as $4 for a standard prescription... Wal-Mart will test the lower prices first in the Tampa, Fla., area and, depending on consumer response, may expand the program around the state and the country, these people said. The experiment appears to mark the first time that Wal-Mart has used its unrivaled influence in the American economy to lower the cost of health care for its customers."

For full story: Click here

WHY NOT THE BEST? RESULTS FROM A NATIONAL SCORECARD ON U.S. HEALTH SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
By The Commonwealth Fund

"Created by the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a High Performance Health System, the National Scorecard on U.S. Health System Performance is the first-ever comprehensive means of measuring and monitoring health care outcomes, quality, access, efficiency, and equity in one report. Its findings indicate that America's health system falls far short of what is attainable, especially given the resources the nation invests. Across 37 indicators of performance, the U.S. achieves an overall score of 66 out of a possible 100 when comparing actual national performance to achievable benchmarks. Scores on efficiency are particularly low."

For full story: http://www.cmwf.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=401577

AS HEALTH COSTS RISE, CONSUMERS MUST GET SMARTER, SPEAKER SAYS
Thursday, September 14, 2006
By Christopher Snowbeck, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"As more companies offer high-deductible health plans to their workers, a leading proponent of the trend says that employers also must help patients become smarter shoppers for care. Companies that successfully deliver both halves of the equation -- offering the insurance policies and providing good information about the cost and quality of medical services -- will help bring true "consumerism" to health care, said Ann Mond Johnson, president of Chicago-based Subimo LLC, during an address yesterday morning to the annual health care symposium sponsored by the Pittsburgh Business Group on Health."

For full story: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06257/721622-114.stm

HEALTH CARE COSTS CAN BE CUT
Thursday, September 14, 2006
By Rick Stouffer, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

"Half of all health care dollars spent -- $1 trillion -- is wasted on poor quality care, safety issues and a perverse incentive plan that rewards mistakes, a leading reformer said Wednesday. "The problem with health care is that it has become unaffordable -- and passively or actively you, employers, have the system you paid for," said Robert Mecklinburg, whose 86-year-old Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle was forced earlier this decade to closely examine its operations when health insurer Aetna told the provider it was too expensive. The only way for the health care system to be fixed is for employers, those paying the bill, to stand up and say "we're not paying," said Richard P. Shannon, chairman of Allegheny General Hospital's Department of Medicine."

For full story: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/health/s_470371.html

HIGHER COPAYS DON'T DETER USE OF NEEDED HIGH-COST MEDICATION
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
By Christopher Snowbeck, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Copayments have been effective in controlling other pharmacy costs, it said (a study published today in the policy journal Health Affairs), but not specialty pharmacy drugs that include injectable and biological agents that target a gene or protein, and in many cases treat complex chronic conditions such as anemia, cancer and multiple sclerosis. Specialty drugs often are found in a so-called "fourth tier" of health plan formularies, meaning they are subject to different copayments than traditional drugs in the first three tiers of drugs covered by the plan. While health plans might be tempted to shift specialty drug costs to patients, they shouldn't do so, Mr. Goldman said, because the medications represent just the sort of medical need for which people should buy coverage."

For full story: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06255/720993-114.stm

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