As of December 2008, the number of jobs lost in the United States amounted to 1.9 million.  When workers lose their jobs, most also lose the health insurance that covers them and their families.  Often the loss of income and health coverage causes more families to turn to programs like Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for health coverage.  Most families cannot afford the premiums to extend their employer-based coverage through COBRA.  Purchasing health insurance on their own isn't feasible either.  Sometimes the high deductibles also are not helpful in covering families' health costs.  Not to mention, for those that have chronic illnesses, going without health care can gravely affect their health and their ability to ultimately provide for their families.  For those that are able to find new jobs, many times the jobs that are available are offered with less pay than the jobs they had, again making the payment for health insurance more difficult. 

Putting off medical care may lead health to deteriorate, especially for people with chronic illnesses that require management.  For individuals with ongoing and intense health care needs, their jobs provided a vital link to doctors, treatments, tests and medications they need to survive. 

Many unemployed individuals are finding that the only way to health insurance is through Medicaid and SCHIP. Often the parents are not insured, but through these programs they are able to offer coverage at least for their children.   

Excerpts taken from the Kaiser Family Foundation, December 2008.

WHAT IS WISCONSIN'S SENIORCARE???

SeniorCare is Wisconsin's Prescription Drug Assistance Program for Wisconsin residents who are 65 years of age or older and who meet eligibility requirements.

Do you need help paying for prescription drugs?

Do you know  a Wisconsin Senior who does?

SeniorCare can help.

By making prescription drugs more affordable SeniorCare makes it easier for seniors to obtain the medicine they need for a healthier life.

Eligibility Requirements Include:

1. Must be a Wisconsin resident.
2. Must be 65 years of age or older.
3. Must pay a $30 annual enrollment fee per person.
4. Only income is measured. Assets, such as bank accounts, insurance policies, home property, etc., are not counted.

All program participants will need to pay an out-of-pocket expense

All seniors will be subject to certain out-of-pocket expense requirements depending on their annual income. There are different expense requirements and benefits based on your income and your spouse's income, if your spouse lives with you.

If you think you might be eligible, contact your local aging agency for more information. Or call the SeniorCare Customer Service Hotline at 1-800-657-2038 (TTY and translations services are available).

 
MEDICAL NEWS                           


NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY IS FEBRUARY 6 IN HONOR OF WOMEN AND HEART DISEASE AWARENESS

 Celebrate National Wear Red Day–the first Friday in February–when Americans nationwide wear red to show their support for women's heart disease awareness.

The Heart Truth–a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease–created and introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 to deliver an urgent wakeup call to American women. The Red Dress reminds women of the need to protect their heart health, and inspires them to take action. National Wear Red Day promotes the symbol and provides an opportunity for everyone to unite in this life-saving awareness movement by showing off a favorite red dress, shirt, or tie, or Red Dress Pin.

Join the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease; American Heart Association; and many other groups to promote National Wear Red Day in your local community. Visit The Heart Truth's National Wear Red Day toolkit to get free information, ideas, and materials to help share this special day.

See how other groups from across the nation are supporting National Wear Red Day.

What Are the Risk Factors for Heart Disease?

Risk factors are conditions or habits that make a person more likely to develop a disease. They can also increase the chances that an existing disease will get worse. Important risk factors for heart disease that you can do something about are:

• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Being overweight
• Being physically inactive
• Having a family history of early heart disease
• Age (55 or older for women)

Some risk factors, such as age and family history of early heart disease, can't be changed. For women, age becomes a risk factor at 55. After menopause, women are more apt to get heart disease, in part because their body's production of estrogen drops. Women who have gone through early menopause, either naturally or because they have had a hysterectomy, are twice as likely to develop heart disease as women of the same age who have not yet gone through menopause. Another reason for the increasing risk is that middle age is a time when women tend to develop risk factors for heart disease. Family history of early heart disease is another risk factor that can't be changed. If your father or brother had a heart attack before age 55, or if your mother or sister had one before age 65, you are more likely to get heart disease yourself. Find out your risk for a heart attack.

While certain risk factors cannot be changed, it is important to realize that you do have control over many others. Regardless of your age, background, or health status, you can lower your risk of heart disease-and it doesn't have to be complicated. Protecting your heart can be as simple as taking a brisk walk, whipping up a good vegetable soup, or getting the support you need to maintain a healthy weight.

This newsletter is not intended to give advice on health issues.  If you have a health concern, please see your physician.