Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States, 2004
http://www.census.gov/prod/2005pubs/p60-229.pdf
U.S Census
" Real median household income remained unchanged between 2003 and 2004 at $44,389, according to a report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Meanwhile, the nation’s official poverty rate rose from 12.5 percent in 2003 to 12.7 percent in 2004. The percentage of the nation’s population without health insurance coverage remained stable, at 15.7 percent in 2004. The number of people with health insurance increased by 2.0 million to 245.3 million between 2003 and 2004, and the number without such coverage rose by 800,000 to 45.8 million."
U.S Census
" Real median household income remained unchanged between 2003 and 2004 at $44,389, according to a report released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Meanwhile, the nation’s official poverty rate rose from 12.5 percent in 2003 to 12.7 percent in 2004. The percentage of the nation’s population without health insurance coverage remained stable, at 15.7 percent in 2004. The number of people with health insurance increased by 2.0 million to 245.3 million between 2003 and 2004, and the number without such coverage rose by 800,000 to 45.8 million."
Monday, August 29, 2005
Medicaid benefits by state
http://www.kff.org/medicaid/benefits/index.jsp
Kaiser Family Foundation
"A newly enhanced interactive database based on 50-state survey data provides easy access to information on health services provided by each state's Medicaid program. You can search the database by state or Medicaid benefit and compare benefit packages from 2003 and 2004."
Kaiser Family Foundation
"A newly enhanced interactive database based on 50-state survey data provides easy access to information on health services provided by each state's Medicaid program. You can search the database by state or Medicaid benefit and compare benefit packages from 2003 and 2004."
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Healthy People 2010 Added to PubMed® Special Queries
http://pubmed.gov --PubMed
direct link: http://phpartners.org/hp/
A link to the search interface providing searches for published literature related to the Healthy People 2010 focus areas of the HP2010 Information Access Project was added to the Special Queries resource page available from PubMed's blue sidebar.The National Library of Medicine® and the Public Health Foundation staff have worked together to develop pre-formulated search strategies for selected Healthy People 2010 focus areas. The purpose of these searches is to make information and evidence-based strategies related to the Healthy People 2010 objectives easier to find. Select a focus area and see a list of specialized searches for the objectives. The "PubMed search" icons on the focus area page search PubMed.Healthy People 2010 is a set of health objectives for the Nation to achieve over the first decade of the new century. It can be used by many different people, States, communities, professional organizations, and others to help them develop programs to improve health.For more information on the Special Queries Resource in PubMed see Technical Notes. NLM Tech Bull. 2005 Mar-Apr;(343):e1. Or, see the current issue of the NLM Technical Bulletin at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/techbull/current_issue.html
direct link: http://phpartners.org/hp/
A link to the search interface providing searches for published literature related to the Healthy People 2010 focus areas of the HP2010 Information Access Project was added to the Special Queries resource page available from PubMed's blue sidebar.The National Library of Medicine® and the Public Health Foundation staff have worked together to develop pre-formulated search strategies for selected Healthy People 2010 focus areas. The purpose of these searches is to make information and evidence-based strategies related to the Healthy People 2010 objectives easier to find. Select a focus area and see a list of specialized searches for the objectives. The "PubMed search" icons on the focus area page search PubMed.Healthy People 2010 is a set of health objectives for the Nation to achieve over the first decade of the new century. It can be used by many different people, States, communities, professional organizations, and others to help them develop programs to improve health.For more information on the Special Queries Resource in PubMed see Technical Notes. NLM Tech Bull. 2005 Mar-Apr;(343):e1. Or, see the current issue of the NLM Technical Bulletin at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/techbull/current_issue.html
Obesity policies failing
http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2005/
Trust for America's Health
"Obesity rates continued to rise last year in every state but one, and government policies and actions to date offer little hope of countering the trend, according to a new report by Trust for America’s Health. Mississippi ranked as the heaviest state, Colorado as the least heavy, and rates stayed the same in Oregon, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America, 2005. Over 25 percent of adults in 10 states are obese, including in Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, and South Carolina. Seven of those 10 states are in the Southeastern U.S. Approximately 119 million Americans, or 64.5 percent, of adult Americans are either overweight or obese. Estimates of the number of obese American adults rose from 23.7 percent in 2003 to 24.5 percent in 2004." Includes state-specific reports.
Trust for America's Health
"Obesity rates continued to rise last year in every state but one, and government policies and actions to date offer little hope of countering the trend, according to a new report by Trust for America’s Health. Mississippi ranked as the heaviest state, Colorado as the least heavy, and rates stayed the same in Oregon, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America, 2005. Over 25 percent of adults in 10 states are obese, including in Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, and South Carolina. Seven of those 10 states are in the Southeastern U.S. Approximately 119 million Americans, or 64.5 percent, of adult Americans are either overweight or obese. Estimates of the number of obese American adults rose from 23.7 percent in 2003 to 24.5 percent in 2004." Includes state-specific reports.
Monday, August 22, 2005
single-mother families after welfare reform
http://www.brookings.edu/es/research/projects/wrb/publications/pb/pb33.pdf
The Brookings Institution
"Trends in income and consumption tell very different stories about the well-being of single mothers and their children in recent years. On the one hand, data suggest that income fell noticeably for single mothers well below the poverty line, while income grew significantly for single mothers with higher incomes. On the other hand, data on how much these two groups of mothers and children consumed suggest that the material circumstances of both groups improved during the 1990s. We argue that the consumption data better reflect well-being for several reasons. First, consumption is probably measured with less error than income for poor families, and is more strongly associated with other measures of well-being such as health and housing conditions. Second, there is overwhelming evidence that income is underreported by these mothers and that the underreporting, especially of income from welfare and other transfer programs, has increased in recent years."
The Brookings Institution
"Trends in income and consumption tell very different stories about the well-being of single mothers and their children in recent years. On the one hand, data suggest that income fell noticeably for single mothers well below the poverty line, while income grew significantly for single mothers with higher incomes. On the other hand, data on how much these two groups of mothers and children consumed suggest that the material circumstances of both groups improved during the 1990s. We argue that the consumption data better reflect well-being for several reasons. First, consumption is probably measured with less error than income for poor families, and is more strongly associated with other measures of well-being such as health and housing conditions. Second, there is overwhelming evidence that income is underreported by these mothers and that the underreporting, especially of income from welfare and other transfer programs, has increased in recent years."
Medicare's unseen costs
http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa548.pdf
The Cato Institute
"As it did with federal cash assistance, Congress should: (1) cap federal Medicaid spending, (2) block grant federal funds to the states, and (3) allow states full flexibility to define eligibility and benefits under their Medicaid programs. States should use that flexibility to target Medicaid assistance to the truly needy, reduce dependence, reduce crowd-out of private effort, and promote competitive private markets for medical care and insurance. That means withdrawing assistance from those who are most able to obtain coverage elsewhere and deregulating health care and health insurance markets so they can meet that need."
The Cato Institute
"As it did with federal cash assistance, Congress should: (1) cap federal Medicaid spending, (2) block grant federal funds to the states, and (3) allow states full flexibility to define eligibility and benefits under their Medicaid programs. States should use that flexibility to target Medicaid assistance to the truly needy, reduce dependence, reduce crowd-out of private effort, and promote competitive private markets for medical care and insurance. That means withdrawing assistance from those who are most able to obtain coverage elsewhere and deregulating health care and health insurance markets so they can meet that need."
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Medicare FY2006 rates
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/providerupdate/regs/cms1500f.pdf
Fed Regist. 2005 Aug 12;70(155):47277-707.
Medicare program; changes to the hospital inpatient prospective payment systems and fiscal year 2006 rates. Final rule.
Fed Regist. 2005 Aug 12;70(155):47277-707.
Medicare program; changes to the hospital inpatient prospective payment systems and fiscal year 2006 rates. Final rule.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Paternal Discrepancy
http://press.psprings.co.uk/jech/september/749_ch36517.pdf
"Paternal discrepancy (PD) occurs when a child is identified as being biologically fathered by someone other than the man who believes he is the father. This paper examines published evidence on levels of PD and its public health consequences. Rates vary between studies from 0.8% to 30% (median 3.7%, n = 17). Using information from genetic and behavioural studies, the article identifies those who conceive younger, live in deprivation, are in long term relationships (rather than marriages), or in certain cultural groups are at higher risk. Public health consequences of PD being exposed include family break up and violence. However, leaving PD undiagnosed means cases having incorrect information on their genetics and fathers continuing to suspect that children may not be theirs."
"Paternal discrepancy (PD) occurs when a child is identified as being biologically fathered by someone other than the man who believes he is the father. This paper examines published evidence on levels of PD and its public health consequences. Rates vary between studies from 0.8% to 30% (median 3.7%, n = 17). Using information from genetic and behavioural studies, the article identifies those who conceive younger, live in deprivation, are in long term relationships (rather than marriages), or in certain cultural groups are at higher risk. Public health consequences of PD being exposed include family break up and violence. However, leaving PD undiagnosed means cases having incorrect information on their genetics and fathers continuing to suspect that children may not be theirs."
Seeing Red: Americans Driven in to Debt by Medical Bills
http://www.cmwf.org/usr_doc/Medical_bills_FINAL.pdf
"New analysis of the 2003 Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey reveals that an estimated 77 million Americans age 19 and older—nearly two of five (37%) adults—have difficulty paying medical bills, have accrued medical debt, or both. Working-age adults incur significantly higher rates of medical bill and debt problems than adults 65 and older, with rates highest among the uninsured. Even working-age adults who are continually insured have problems paying their medical bills and have medical debt. Unpaid medical bills and medical debt can limit access to health care: two-thirds of people with a medical bill or debt problem went without needed care because of cost—nearly three times the rate of those without these financial problems"
"New analysis of the 2003 Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey reveals that an estimated 77 million Americans age 19 and older—nearly two of five (37%) adults—have difficulty paying medical bills, have accrued medical debt, or both. Working-age adults incur significantly higher rates of medical bill and debt problems than adults 65 and older, with rates highest among the uninsured. Even working-age adults who are continually insured have problems paying their medical bills and have medical debt. Unpaid medical bills and medical debt can limit access to health care: two-thirds of people with a medical bill or debt problem went without needed care because of cost—nearly three times the rate of those without these financial problems"
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
serving medically underserved communities
http://www.nachc.com/research/Files/SNreport2005.pdf
"As the nation celebrates "National Health Center Week 2005" (August 7-13) and the 40th anniversary of health centers, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) has released a new report that reveals the challenges health centers face in providing affordable health care to medically underserved communities. The report, entitled, “The Safety Net on the Edge,” chronicles the financial realities health centers face due to Medicaid cutbacks, the rising number of uninsured Americans, and the increasing cost of delivering care. Consequently, patient demand for services is rising at an unprecedented rate and cost at a time when Medicaid cuts are being debated in Congress."
"As the nation celebrates "National Health Center Week 2005" (August 7-13) and the 40th anniversary of health centers, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) has released a new report that reveals the challenges health centers face in providing affordable health care to medically underserved communities. The report, entitled, “The Safety Net on the Edge,” chronicles the financial realities health centers face due to Medicaid cutbacks, the rising number of uninsured Americans, and the increasing cost of delivering care. Consequently, patient demand for services is rising at an unprecedented rate and cost at a time when Medicaid cuts are being debated in Congress."
Monday, August 08, 2005
Paying for the uninsured
http://www.familiesusa.org/site/DocServer/Paying%5Fa%5FPremium.pdf?docID=9241
"This study quantifies, for the first time, the dollar impact on private health insurance premiums when doctors and hospitals provide care to uninsured people."
"This study quantifies, for the first time, the dollar impact on private health insurance premiums when doctors and hospitals provide care to uninsured people."
uninsured kids
http://coveringkidsandfamilies.org/press/docs/2005BTSResearchReport.pdf
Going Without: America's Uninsured Children
"One-third (32.9 percent) of uninsured children in America went without medical care for an entire year, a new report shows. Conversely, nearly 88 percent of their insured counterparts received care during the same period. Even uninsured kids who received medical care did not always see a doctor when they needed one. Uninsured children were 10 times more likely not to receive the medical care they needed, compared to children who have insurance (6.2 percent vs. 0.65 percent). "
Going Without: America's Uninsured Children
"One-third (32.9 percent) of uninsured children in America went without medical care for an entire year, a new report shows. Conversely, nearly 88 percent of their insured counterparts received care during the same period. Even uninsured kids who received medical care did not always see a doctor when they needed one. Uninsured children were 10 times more likely not to receive the medical care they needed, compared to children who have insurance (6.2 percent vs. 0.65 percent). "
Medicare at 40
http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/health/medicare_40.pdf
"In commemoration of Medicare’s 40th anniversary, this AARP report reviews the major achievements of the program since 1965 and identifies improvements that would ensure that Medicare remains a viable, affordable, beneficiary-focused program covering comprehensive, high quality services, while at the same time carefully stewarding program resources. Specific Medicare accomplishments that are reviewed include improving access to health coverage and services, providing greater financial security to beneficiaries, controlling program spending, and emerging as a leader in quality improvement activities. Specific challenges that are identified for the future include ensuring Medicare affordability for program beneficiaries, addressing the chronic care needs of an aging population, improving the quality of care in Medicare, ensuring the financial strength of the program, and ensuring fair competition among all Medicare coverage options. Due to its size, Medicare has the opportunity to positively influence the overall health care system as it responds to these and other challenges encountered throughout the system."
"In commemoration of Medicare’s 40th anniversary, this AARP report reviews the major achievements of the program since 1965 and identifies improvements that would ensure that Medicare remains a viable, affordable, beneficiary-focused program covering comprehensive, high quality services, while at the same time carefully stewarding program resources. Specific Medicare accomplishments that are reviewed include improving access to health coverage and services, providing greater financial security to beneficiaries, controlling program spending, and emerging as a leader in quality improvement activities. Specific challenges that are identified for the future include ensuring Medicare affordability for program beneficiaries, addressing the chronic care needs of an aging population, improving the quality of care in Medicare, ensuring the financial strength of the program, and ensuring fair competition among all Medicare coverage options. Due to its size, Medicare has the opportunity to positively influence the overall health care system as it responds to these and other challenges encountered throughout the system."
minimum wage and poverty
http://www.chn.org/pdf/crsminimumwage.pdf
Historical Relationship Between the Minimum Wage and Poverty, 1959 to 2005
Historical Relationship Between the Minimum Wage and Poverty, 1959 to 2005
