Facing a chronic illness with no insurance

Submitted by pahealth on October 27, 2008 - 7:50pm
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"If you're a hardworking American, you should have affordable health care." 

So says Marty Grassia, barber shop owner from Mantua in New Jersey.  Grassia's story is told in the September 30th edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer as part of its series on individuals who have been unable to access health care.

More Americans can’t afford medical care

Submitted by pahealth on October 23, 2008 - 12:31am
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A growing number of Americans are reporting difficulty with medical costs, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation's final election 2008 tracking poll.  The poll was conducted October 8-13 and involved a random sample of 1,217 adults.

Nearly half (47 percent) of the American public reports that because of cost, someone in the family didn't fill a prescription, skipped doses of medicine, postponed getting health care, skipped a recommended medical test or treatment, or had difficulty getting mental health care.

Are more in-store health clinics coming to Pennsylvania?

Submitted by pahealth on October 22, 2008 - 7:58pm
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In-store health clinics continue to expand in the Pittsburgh area, according to an October 21 article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  By the end of this year, the Pittsburgh area is expected to have 24 clinics located in Walgreens and CVS stores.

Meanwhile, in the center part of the state, five such clinics have been set up in supermarkets.

In sour economy, people cut back on medications

Submitted by pahealth on October 22, 2008 - 7:37pm
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As reported October 22 in the New York Times, people around the country are responding to economic hard times by scaling back on prescription medications.  For the first time in a decade, fewer prescriptions are being filled.

The uninsured die sooner

Submitted by pahealth on October 21, 2008 - 1:08pm
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These data come from the Institute of Medicine and are reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer in its October 13 edition.

"Uninsured diabetics are less likely to see doctors and get preventive care. They are also more likely to suffer amputations and go blind than those with insurance. 

"Uninsured patients die sooner than the insured who have many diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease.