AUSTIN, Texas – Un reporte reciente encuentra que la tasa de no-asegurados cayó el triple en estados que expandieron Medicaid, en comparación con estados que no lo hicieron, como Texas, que optó por no ampliar la cobertura.

Lo anterior se desprende de un nuevo estudio hecho por el Centro de la Universidad Georgetown para Niños y sus Familias.

Patrick Bresette, director ejecutivo del Fondo Texas para la Defensa de los Niños (“Children’s Defense Fund-Texas”), ve en este reporte un llamado a despertar.

Dice que su organización puede inscribir a los niños rurales de Texas para darles cobertura de salud –a través de programas federales como el Programa de Seguro Médico para Niños– pero no a sus padres.

“Estás tratando con familias sin muchas expectativas sobre tener acceso a infraestructura en su medio. En algunas áreas urbanas puede haber más hospitales a los que puedan acceder, hay clínicas gratuitas –y vemos gente que tiene que manejar millas y millas, sólo para recibir el tipo de servicios básicos que requiere.”

Antes de la Ley de Atención Asequible (“Affordable Care Act”), la tasa de Texanos no asegurados en áreas rurales y pequeñas poblaciones, era del 40 por ciento.

En 2016, 36 por ciento –todavía entre las más altas de la nación, y muy retrasada de las áreas metropolitanas de Texas, con una tasa del 29 por ciento.

En zonas cercanas de Nuevo México, que amplió Medicaid en 2013, la tasa de no asegurados cayó del 46 por ciento al 21 por ciento.

La coautora de la investigación, Joan Alker, y directora ejecutiva en el Centro para los Niños y las Familias (“Center for Children and Families”) de la Universidad Georgetown, dice que expandir la cobertura a más residentes de las áreas rurales –que ya luchan con las altas tasas de desempleo y pobreza– tiene sentido en términos económicos.

“Cuando se tiene una opción real para tomar esos dólares de Madicaid, en serio, el uso más inteligente del dinero de los contribuyentes es brindarles atención primaria preventiva que llega al tener, para empezar, su seguro médico para que no se enfermen más y terminen en emergencias.”

Bresette resalta que los hospitales rurales son impulsores de la economía y, muchas veces, los más grandes empleadores en esas comunidades. Agrega que Texas es numero uno nacional en cuanto al número de hospitales rurales que cierran.

“Ves el efecto ondulatorio, porque después no hay cerca farmacias a las que les esté yendo bien. No tienes todo el apoyo auxiliar de sistemas de salud que rodean un hospital cuando está funcionando. Así que, definitivamente es un multiplicador y cada vez que pierdes uno, estás haciendo un hueco en esa comunidad rural.”

Según el reporte, la cuarta parte de quienes no tienen cobertura también son los padres.

Numerosos estudios han de mostrado que el bienestar de los pequeños mejora cuando su padres tienen un seguro de salud.

El informe puede ser consultado en: Georgetown University Center for Children and Families.


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.