Monday 8 September 2008

Economic Pressures Lead Some Uninsured To Stop Medications, Cut Doses


The Jackson Clarion-Ledger on Wednesday examined how some U.S. residents who cannot afford health insurance are reducing the amount of medications they take or cutting doses, as well as visual perception the doctor less frequently, to save money. A survey conducted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners showed that 11% have skipped doses or stopped taking medications altogether because of financial reasons and that 22% have reduced doctor visits.

According to Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, "Mississippi is probably worsened off than you date on the national stratum," adding, "We have more than people on the poorness level or on fixed incomes than most states," which "forces them to make decisions about purchasing life-sustaining drugs or quality of life drugs versus paying the light bill and buying groceries." Many people are uninsured because employers such as humble businesses and not-for-profit agencies have difficulty providing workers with passable insurance, the Clarion-Ledger reports (Pettus, Jackson Clarion-Ledger, 8/27).


Reprinted with kind permission from hTTP://www.kaisernetwork.org. You can view the total Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, hunt the archives, or preindication up for email obstetrical delivery at hypertext transfer protocol://www.kaisernetwork.