This week will focus on one article from the Bakersfield Californian on Health Care reform: Latinos have the biggest stake. I'm not writing to focus on the specifics of The Affordable Health Care Act (aka the HC reform bill) but the article points out staggering statistics. Approximately 2.1 million of the 3.9 million uninsured in California are Latino according to a study by the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network in Nov 2010.--this does not include undocumented immigrants. WOW!! Currently many Latinos do not qualify for Medi-Cal because they exceed the poverty level income requirement. Based on those stats alone--here's what's going on: this population has no insurance, so if there is a chronic or acute illness, there is often no medical attention. Then when necessary the Emergency Department is used as the primary source of health care. This results in no continuity of care for the chronic illnesses. Other issues that may arise-- can they afford the medications? will they follow up as needed? how does this affect their life expectancy? their family earnings?
Think about the impact (potential and real) on public health: think about what this means for you as a health care provider and as a consumer. Does this affect your health care? your insurance? your access?
This was only one point of the article but you should read the entire story and THINK ABOUT IT.
To read the entire article go to http://www.bakersfield.com/, search Health care Reform.The article date is Feb 4, 2011.
Other useful links http://www.healthcare.gov/ and http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
January 31-Feb 6
Well this has been a busy week in health news but for now I'll focus on just a few topics. Next week, I hope to get topic contributions for you!
#1-- here is a link to a CNN report regarding post mastectomy breast reconstruction. The startling statistic is that for every 10 women who qualify for breast reconstruction only 3 are informed. WOW! As a health care provider, this is the take away...nurses are actively involved in educating their patients at different access to assist the patient so they are completely and accurately informed.
Listen for yourself and think about it! breast reconstruction
#2 latest and greatest use of technology in health care (maybe). Read all about it and think how this could impact the practice of medicine- if you were a patient would you want to know if your physician used his phone to evaluate your CT? Cool or creepy?
ct's on mobile devices
Keep reading and listening to stories of interest and always think about the potential effect on health care --now or later.
#1-- here is a link to a CNN report regarding post mastectomy breast reconstruction. The startling statistic is that for every 10 women who qualify for breast reconstruction only 3 are informed. WOW! As a health care provider, this is the take away...nurses are actively involved in educating their patients at different access to assist the patient so they are completely and accurately informed.
Listen for yourself and think about it! breast reconstruction
#2 latest and greatest use of technology in health care (maybe). Read all about it and think how this could impact the practice of medicine- if you were a patient would you want to know if your physician used his phone to evaluate your CT? Cool or creepy?
ct's on mobile devices
Keep reading and listening to stories of interest and always think about the potential effect on health care --now or later.
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