AUSTIN, Texas – Se aproxima un impulso enorme para que la población hispana de Texas y del país que no tiene seguro, adquiera su cobertura médica. El índice de personas hispanas sin seguro es del 32 por ciento, el doble del promedio nacional; es importante que se aseguren pronto, porque esta primera inscripción abierta al Obamacare termina el 31 de marzo.
Ante la inminencia de la fecha límite, ya comenzó la carrera por inscribir a quienes no tienen seguro, con atención especial en la población latina del estado. Se estima que casi 3.5 millones de hispanos en Texas están insuficientemente asegurados, y Mayra López - del Foro Latino HeathCare en Austin - dice que la mayoría es elegible para el plan Obamacare.
"Intenten inscribirse y si no califican - dijo López -, el sistema les dice qué opciones tienen en cada estado. Lo peor que pueden hacer es no tratar de aplicar y perder la oportunidad de tener un seguro médico a precios accesibles. A mi punto de vista tener la oportunidad de aplicar con el seguro, es una de las mejores oportunidades que nos han dado a la comunidad latina."
El idioma no le impide a la comunidad hispana contratar los seguros adecuados, pues la gran mayoría habla inglés fluido; más del 60 por ciento de los latinos que viven aquí ya nacieron en los Estados Unidos. Y quienes vienen de otro país, entre más tiempo viven aquí, tienden más a tener sus seguros, según revelan los censos nacionales de población.
Una persona puede ser exentada de la obligación de comprar seguro si llena un formulario y cumple los requisitos; por ejemplo, si se acabó la cobertura de su plan y no hay una alternativa que pueda pagar. Si al revisar su proyección de ingresos se determina que no puede pagar su seguro, se le puede autorizar a que compre sólo una póliza de cobertura de siniestros. Un obstáculo que los hispanos han enfrentado históricamente para comprar seguros es su situación financiera. Pero Sophía Castillo, del CentroMed en San Antonio, explica que las exenciones y los créditos fiscales disponibles pueden reducir significativamente el costo de las primas.
"Puede ser tan poco como 10 centavos al mes, o hasta 120 dólares por mes. En realidad varía mucho - explicó Castillo -, porque depende de la cantidad de crédito que se les otorgue, lo cual es basado en el número de personas en la familia y sus ingresos."
Además de mejorar la salud de la comunidad latina con un mayor acceso a la prevención y los cuidados, López menciona que cerrar la brecha de cobertura sin duda mejorará la fortaleza general de las familias hispanas.
"Porque ahora, si uno de sus niños llegara a tener un accidente, el "bill" por el hospital y por el doctor saldría como a tres mil dólares - agregó López - . Es dinero que tal vez en ese momento no tenga a la mano y teniendo aseguranza va a estar más seguro y va a tener más estabilidad financiera en caso de alguna emergencia."
Los esfuerzos en torno a los latinos y a los cuidados de la salud no se están dando sólo en Texas, sino en todo el país, ante un universo calculado en 10 millones de personas elegibles, como lo explica Mayra Álvarez, directora asociada de la Oficina de la Salud de las Minorías, en el Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los Estados Unidos.
"El acceso al seguro médico es fundamental para contribuir al bienestar de la comunidad latina, que sigue creciendo - destacó Álvarez -, y para contribuir a nuestras comuidades, para que nuestros hijos puedan contribuir a la escuela, para que los trabajadores puedan contribuir a sus lugares de trabajo."
La inscripción en inglés puede hacerse en HealthCare.gov, y en español en CuidadoDeSalud.gov. También puede llamar al 800-318-2596.
Esta nota fue producida con datos y apoyo editorial de News Taco.
get more stories like this via email
Health disparities in Texas are not only making some people sick, but affecting the state's economy.
A new study shows Texas is losing $7 billion a year because it does not adequately address quality-of-life issues and the health care needs of its lower-income residents.
The research was sponsored by the Episcopal Health Foundation, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, and St. David's Foundation.
Brian Sasser, chief communications officer for the Episcopal Health Foundation, said health care includes more than doctors' visits and medication.
"Everything from increasing access to affordable health insurance to investing in under-resourced neighborhoods to give them more options, whether that's exercise options or food options," Sasser outlined. "Look at policy changes that expand health insurance coverage for new moms."
The report breaks down the economic costs of preventable health differences for every Texas county. It found Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Tarrant and Travis counties are losing the most money annually because of health disparities.
The amount of the economic impact depends on the racial and ethnic makeup of the county and the size of its working-age population. Sasser added the report shows Black and Hispanic children are more likely to grow up in neighborhoods with high poverty levels, and higher rates of diabetes and obesity.
"What can we do to work to make sure that the rate of diabetes isn't dramatically different between white households and Black households?" Sasser asked. "That we can make sure the food insecurity isn't dramatically different between someone who makes over $100,000 and someone who makes less than $30,000?"
The Texas Legislature has passed laws to address some of the disparities, including House Bill 12. It extends Medicaid health coverage for 12 months for new mothers, and pays for maternal health services for community health workers and doulas.
Disclosure: Episcopal Health Foundation contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Mental Health, Philanthropy, and Poverty Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email
There is light at the end of the tunnel for Tennesseans struggling with opioid addiction, as a bill has been passed to increase access to treatment for opioid use disorder at Community Health Centers.
More than 3,800 lives were lost to overdose in the state in 2021, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.
Emily Waitt, policy and advocacy manager for the Tennessee Primary Care Association, said the original bill limited the number of patients nurse practitioners and physician assistants could treat with buprenorphine. The update removes the limitations, allowing more Tennesseans to access medication assisted treatment in their communities.
"It allows NPs and PAs to prescribe to 100 patients at a time, versus 50," Waitt explained. "Basically doubling the number of patients that they can prescribe to."
Community Health Centers serve more than 423,000 patients across Tennessee, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. About 7.7% of Tennesseans do not have health insurance.
Libby Thurman, CEO of the Tennessee Primary Care Association, said bringing the treatment to rural health centers expands access to a crucial service for patients who otherwise could not afford it. She noted it is important because people in remote areas often face challenges finding specialists and treatment facilities.
"We really wanted to work on this issue, because we know our Community Health Centers are where patients go for care," Thurman emphasized. "We really believe in an integrated model. So we want to treat the whole person, including if they are struggling with an addiction issue or a substance abuse disorder issue."
Health Centers offer behavioral health care, including counseling, along with treatment. The clinics also focus on creating a supportive network to help patients with family resources, job assistance and community connections.
Disclosure: The Tennessee Primary Care Association contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues, Mental Health, and Reproductive Health. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email
While Black Maternal Health Week is wrapping up, health disparities for pregnant Black women continues to be an issue.
From April 11-17 this year, the high death rate of Black mothers is in the spotlight. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts.
Dr. Patricia Egwuatu, a family practice physician at Kaiser Permanente in Seattle, said racism is at the root of the disparities, which create barriers to health care access. She pointed out lack of access can lead to problems during pregnancy that are preventable or treatable.
"They may exist prior to pregnancy and then it gets worse during pregnancy if it's not managed as part of that maternity care," Egwuatu emphasized. "There are more pregnant women that have chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease that are amplified during pregnancy."
The White House released a proclamation recognizing Black Maternal Health Week. The Biden administration began recognizing the week in 2021.
Egwuatu noted there are some warning signs any pregnant woman should be aware of and check in with their physician if they develop.
"You might get some changes in your vision that is not your normal. So, like, fuzziness, you can't see as well, or an excruciating headache," Egwuatu outlined. "You could also develop new swelling in your lower extremities that's making it difficult to get around or even new shortness of breath."
Egwuatu stressed physicians also need to recognize the role of racism in medicine. She argued continuous medical education is important for learning how to confront biases, and it is important for doctors to understand how they can provide people with resources.
"Asking the questions about personal barriers," Egwuatu suggested. "Does a patient have issues with getting to work, child care, transportation? What's their education, what's their cultural background and language? And do they even have a cell phone so we can connect with them?"
Disclosure: Kaiser Health Plan of Washington Project contributes to our fund for reporting on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention, Health Issues, Hunger/Food/Nutrition, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email