Uninsured Figures Climb
The number of people in the United States without health insurance edged higher in 2005, fueled in part by a drop in employer-sponsored health insurance, according to figures released in August from the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2005, 46.6 million people were uninsured, up from 45.3 million the year before. The percentage of people covered by employer-sponsored health insurance dropped from 59.8% to 59.5% between 2004 and 2005, while the percentage covered by government insurance stayed the same, according to the Census figures. The new figures, compiled as part of the Current Population Survey, showed that the number of uninsured children also increased. Between 2004 and 2005, the number of uninsured children rose from 7.9 million to 8.3 million. And children living in poverty were the most likely to be uninsured, with a rate of 19% vs. 11.2% of children overall in 2005. The American Medical Association issued a statement calling for action to address the uninsured problem. “The AMA plan for reducing the number of the uninsured advocates expanded coverage and choice through a system of refundable tax credits based on income, individually selected and owned health insurance, and market reforms that will enhance new, affordable insurance options,” Dr. Ardis Hoven, an AMA board member, said in a statement.
Mammography Capacity Dips
The national capacity to provide mammography services is adequate, despite a 6% drop in the number of mammography facilities from 2001 to 2004, according to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office. In addition to the decrease in the number of facilities, the GAO reported a 4% drop in the number of machines, a 3% drop in the number of radiologic technologists, and a 5% drop in the number of physicians who interpret mammograms. Experts interviewed by the GAO said that the capacity nationwide is likely adequate to meet the current demand for screening and diagnostic mammograms, but cautioned that there could be access problems in the future. The report was requested by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.).
Cost of Infertility Treatments
The majority of employers who provide insurance coverage for infertility treatment have not experienced a significant increase in their health plan costs, according to the results of a survey commissioned by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and supported by Organon USA. More than 90% of employers who cover infertility treatment beyond an evaluation reported no measurable increase in their medical costs as a result of the additional coverage. The survey of 931 employers found that about 39% cover drug therapy for infertility treatment and 22% cover in vitro fertilization. More employers cover evaluation by an infertility specialist, with about 63% providing at least that level of coverage, according to RESOLVE. “This survey clearly debunks the myth that infertility coverage increases medical coverage costs significantly,” RESOLVE President Joseph C. Isaacs said in a statement.
Improving Latina Cancer Screening
The use of a bilingual staff and free screenings may help to improve breast and cervical cancer screening frequency among Latina patients, according to a report published in the August issue of the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. The study presents the first 6 years of experience with a program that provides free breast and cervical cancer screening to Latina patients, along with education on the importance of regular screening. The program was tested at Georgetown University, Washington. Between September 1998 and August 2004, 928 cancer screening visits were conducted, with 489 women (53%) returning for at least one additional annual screening exam. More than 90% of the women reported that they were more comfortable speaking Spanish when discussing their medical care and scheduling appointments, according to the study.
Most Americans Aware of HPV
About 58% of Americans recently surveyed said they had heard of human papillomavirus or HPV, according to a Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive poll. More women (70%) were familiar with HPV than were men (47%). And parents of a female child under 18 years old were more aware than the general public, with 65% of that group having heard of HPV. Awareness of the newly approved HPV vaccine was lower, with only 48% of all adults surveyed saying that they had heard or seen anything about it. Among those surveyed who had heard of the HPV vaccine, 78% agreed that encouraging young women to get the vaccine is a good way to prevent cervical cancer. The survey was conducted among more than 2,600 adults in July.