OLATHE, Colo. – El sondeo más reciente del Instituto de la Salud de Colorado ("Colorado Health Institute") encontró que la cifra de personas del estado sin cobertura de salud se mantuvo estable en aproximadamente seis por ciento. En el Centro de Salud Familiar River Valley ("River Valley Family Health Center"), que cubre Delta, Montrose y Olathe, la cantidad de pacientes no asegurados creció cinco por ciento en 2018. El CEO Jeremy Carroll dice que debido a que los centros ofrecen tarifas de descuento a la gente sin seguro, esa cresta es significativa.

"Solo le cobramos $15 en una consulta medica a quien este 100% abajo en el nivel federal de pobreza. Ese costo para River Valley es significativamente mayor, $150 o $160, asi que tenemos que descartar esa diferencia."

Los Centros Comunitarios de Salud atendieron en 2018 al 40 por ciento de los no asegurados de Colorado, y en algunos centros el 85 por ciento no tiene seguro. La cobertura de Medicaid también bajó significativamente el año pasado, un dos por ciento. Carroll dice que como los centros dependen de los reembolsos de Medicaid para sufragar los costos de la atención sin seguro, esa pérdida de ingresos puede dificultar que se sigan brindando los servicios

Los centros comunitarios de salud también han visto una alza en la cantidad de pacientes que temen permanecer inscritos en Medicaid, y que sus hijos sigan inscritos, por temores sobre la nueva regla federal de cobro público. La norma cambió la forma en que la gente que planea solicitar una "Green Card" accede a los beneficios públicos, y algunos pacientes evitan los controles regulares Carroll dice que la continuidad en los cuidados es importante para el bienestar de los pacientes, especialmente si tienen condiciones como hipertensión o diabetes.

"Y si vienen hasta que esten real, realmente mal, llevara meses estabilizarlos de nuevo o, en el peor caso, tendremos que internarlos en el hospital. Eso le cuesta al sistema mucho mas dinero."

Otros resultados de la investigación del "Colorado Health Institute" refleja lo que los centros están viendo en todo el estado: un aumento en la cantidad de pacientes que reciben atención médica, dental y conductual. Entre 2014 y 2018, más de la mitad de los centros de red de seguridad, "Safety Net Centers", añadieron atención a la salud conductual y más de un tercio de los centros ofrecen atención dental en sus instalaciones.

El mas reciente estudio del "Colorado Health Institute" encontro que la cantidad de gente del estado sin cobertura medica se mantuvo estable en un seis por ciento aproximadamente. Pero para los Centros Comunitarios de Salud de Colorado, "Community Health Centers", las tasas de no asegurados van subiendo. Un reporte de Eric Galatas (guh-LATT-us).

El estudio del CHI puede ser consulado en www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/research/CHAS.

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.