Daily News Updates - Health Insurance News

Myth Buster 101, Pt.6 – (4) Why not just use the ER?

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4) “Myth:   Americans have adequate access to health care—everyone has access to emergency care.”

 “Truth: Safety net providers, like emergency rooms, are not a substitute for comprehensive, coordinated, and timely health care services.”

The validated findings of the ‘Center’ were that desperate methods are no match for planned health insurance coverage. It is shown by research, though not surprisingly, that those with health insurance get more and better medical care than those without health insurance. Further, those with only emergency room access are much more likely to receive late diagnosis’ on ailments that require earlier treatment. Those with 'chronic conditions ‘ often don’t get the medical care that is medically recommended. Even in traumatic conditions, these victims “are less likely to be admitted to a hospital.”

Also, anyone who’s been to an emergency room knows about the long wait times. These are further exacerbated by ‘misuse’ of the facility from those without health insurance who show up simply because they have nowhere else to turn. Mitt Romney refers to these people as ‘free-riders’ (though for many, the emotional cost far outweighs the financial savings). In their wisdom, the creators of the Massachusetts health care model targeted this problem as a big-ticket item. By compelling all of the state’s residents to secure health insurance, they resolved this problem both, fairly and equitably. The cost savings and social benefits were admirably acclaimed. It still comes back to providing ‘affordable’ health insurance to all.

There’s more. Mr. Kazanjian cites that studies on ‘socio-demographic’ conditions have uncovered the trend of “growing inequities in life expectancy between the wealthy and the poor.” The research has found that our African-American and Hispanic population rely on emergency room alternatives the most and that same group is the lesser to have health insurance for primary care. This is another leading contributor of the growing and ‘devastating health disparities” in our nation.

 Continued…