PORTLAND, Or. – Si una persona de bajos ingresos tiene acceso a un teléfono móvil, podrá beneficiarse de muchas maneras. Esa es la opinión que sustenta los planes de CareOregon para ofrecer teléfonos gratuitos a los miembros del Plan de Salud de Oregon (Oregon Health Plan), a través del programa estatal “Lifeline”, o “Cuerda de Salvación”, para obtener auxilio en caso de emergencia en Oregon. Comentan Martin Taylor, director de políticas públicas y relaciones comunitarias; y Tamara Pedrojetti (pe-dro-JETT-i), administradora del programa de relaciones comunitarias, ambos de CareOregon.

Por tal motivo, poner más teléfonos móviles gratis en manos de más oregonianos de bajos recursos es la meta de una nueva asociación. SafeLink Wireless –un proveedor de telefonía celular de emergencia– y CareOregon –organización encargada de vigilar el programa médico de Oregon– se han unido para ofrecer teléfonos móviles sin costo a decenas de miles de personas, con la esperanza de que mantengan un mejor contacto con sus proveedores de cuidados de salud.

Las llamadas para Atención al Público serán gratuitas en los nuevos teléfonos y Tamara Pedrojetti, de CareOregon, agrega que también incluyen mensajes de texto sin costo y 350 minutos mensuales para otras llamadas.

“Realmente veo una mayor interacción social con la familia y las amistades… Es decir, esto es parte del cuidado de la salud y parte de la comunidad, que puedan mantenerse en contacto con sus seres amados. Para mí, eso es realmente importante.”

CareOregon comenzó a lanzar el programa de teléfono gratuito este mes a través de sus organizaciones filiales de atención coordinada “Coordinated Care Organizations” en el condado de Jackson, el área metropolitana de Portland y en la costa noroeste. Las personas que califiquen recibirán por correo una solicitud que deberán llenar si quieren el teléfono, y serán sorteados para confirmar que califican. Habrá un teléfono disponible por cada hogar.

El año próximo, los miembros de CareOregon con teléfonos gratuitos podrán registrarse para recibir sin costo mensajes automatizados de texto con consejos sobre la salud y recordatorios sobre sus medicinas y sus citas. Martin Taylor, de CareOregon y quien funge como enlace entre los miembros del Plan de Salud de Oregon (OHP) y sus proveedores, afirma que hay un montón de razones para que los pacientes estén en contacto:

”Tal vez llamen porque tienen problemas para trabajar con un proveedor, o quieren cambiarlo. Pueden haberse mudado y quieren actualizar su información, o establecerse con un proveedor que les quede cerca.”

El proveedor de servicios telefónicos Safelink Wireless trabaja con el programa federal Lifeline, que pone teléfonos de emergencia a disposición de los hogares que no puedan pagar el servicio. Oregon es uno de los estados que menos usa el servicio Lifeline.

Al incluir a los miembros del Oregon Health Plan, unas 30 mil personas elegibles más podrán tener teléfonos móviles dentro de un año.


get more stories like this via email

After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


get more stories like this via email

New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.