Health Care Reform concerns
As the debate over health care reform gets underway, one of the consistent themes has been to create ways to make the health care delivery system more efficient and value based. Many Americans are weighing in on concerns they have regarding keeping things efficient and value based with National Health Care on the horizon.
Americans have concerns when it comes to the use of electronic medical records. While many people believe that it is important to adopt an electronic medical record system to improve communication between physicians, many people worry about the confidentiality and whether or not there will be cost savings. Many people do not believe that that the use of electronic medical records will necessarily save cost.
Many Americans believe that there is an overtreatment problem in our country. Half of the public believes that the American health care system has a problem and that too many patients are getting medical tests and treatments that they don't really need. However, sixty-seven percent of Americans say that too many patients are not getting the medical tests and treatments they need.
It was revealed that 2 out of 3 Americans say that their doctor's charges are reasonable and nearly as many say they believe that their doctor is working to keep the cost of their health care down.
Many Americans are experiencing the rise in health care costs. Half say the amount they pay for their family's health care, including insurance, has gone up in the past year. Many say this increase in cost was a big problem for them.
The most common reason the uninsured give for going without coverage is cost; 37 percent say health insurance is too expensive. Other reasons for not having coverage include: lack of employment or job loss, not being eligible for employer's coverage or employer not offering coverage. Nine percent of all uninsured feel they don't need it.
- Excerpts taken from the Henry Kaiser Family Foundation
Wisconsin Badger Care Plus Core Plan -
Health Care For Adults With No Dependent Children
Effective January 1st, 2009, individuals enrolled in County health care plans between December 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008, were transitioned into the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan.
Applications for newly enrolled Core Plan will be accepted starting June 1, 2009. The earliest enrollment date will be July 1, 2009.
The BadgerCare Plus Core Plan will provide access to basic health care services, including primary and preventive care and some generic drugs to low-income adults. Income-eligible adults, from age 19 through 64 who do not have children or do not have dependent children under age 19 living with them, may be able to enroll in the BadgerCare Plus Core Plan.
MEDICAL NEWS 
May is Asthma Awareness Month
Secondhand smoke: Avoiding toxins
Breathing the toxins in secondhand smoke can literally make you sick. Secondhand smoke is now known to cause cancer, asthma and more.
The instances of secondhand smoke present health hazards comparable to smoking. The Surgeon General reported in 2006 that scientific evidence shows there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds, more than 250 of which are toxic. More than 50 of the chemicals in cigarette smoke are known or suspected to cause cancer. Included in secondhand smoke are: Formaldehyde, Arsenic, Cadmium, Benzene, Polonium, Ammonia, carbon monoxide, methanol, hydrogen cyanide. The dangerous particles in secondhand smoke can linger in the air for hours.
Some of the greatest health risks of secondhand smoke include:
Cancer - Secondhand smoke is a known risk factor for lung cancer. Experts believe that secondhand smoke is to blame for about 3,400 deaths from lung cancer in adult nonsmokers each year in the United States alone. Secondhand smoke is also linked to cancer of the nasal sinuses.
Heart Disease - Secondhand smoke harms the cardiovascular system of nonsmokers in many ways. For one thing, it causes heart disease, such as a heart attack. It also damages blood vessels, interferes with circulation and increases the risk of blood clots. It's estimated that some 35,000 nonsmokers die of secondhand smoke-related disease in the United States every year.
Lung Disease - Chronic lung ailments, such as bronchitis and asthma, have been associated with secondhand smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke is also associated with chest tightness at night and feelings of breathlessness after physical activity.
Secondhand smoke has a marked effect on the health of infants and children. They're more vulnerable than adults and because they're still developing physically and generally have higher breathing rates, that means they may inhale greater quantities of secondhand smoke than adults. For children who live in households where someone smokes, the effects are worst during the child's first 5 years. A child who spends just one hour in a very smoky room is inhaling as many dangerous chemicals as if he smoked 10 or more cigarettes.
Fetuses whose mothers are exposed to secondhand smoke often have decreased birth weight and can be born with cerebral palsy or learning disabilities. The infant can also develop a risk of sudden infact death syndrome. Children can also develop asthma and middle ear infections.
How to avoid Secondhand smoke:
- Do not allow smoking in your home.
- Insist that your workplace be smoke-free
- Choose smoke-free facilities
- Don't smoke in your vehicle.
- Sit far away from someone who is smoking
This newsletter is not intended to give advice on health issues. If you have a health concern, please see your physician.
