Health insurance improves your chances of surviving cancer
If you don't have health insurance, or if you only have Medicaid, you are more likely to be diagnosed with life threatening cancer than those who have health insurance. That is the startling finding of researchers from the American Cancer Society. (New York Times, Feb 18, 2008)
The results of their nationwide study show that:
- Uninsureds are more likely than those with private insurance to be diagnosed with late stage cancer
- Medicaid patients are more likely than privately insured patients to be diagnosed with late stage cancer
- Blacks are more likely to receive late cancer diagnosis than whites
- Uninsured patients are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed in Stage 3 or 4 for the most easily detectable cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer and melanoma
In our blog posting, How Do Health Insurance Mandates Vary By State (Feb 1, 2008), we referenced the first ever study to compare the health effects of uninsured cancer patients versus insured cancer patients. It made sense that once diagnosed, you would suffer more by not having health insurance but it is a new revelation that by being uninsured you are also at greater risk of dying from cancer.
Not having insurance increases suffering
The study examines current data of patients across the country and concludes that without health insurance patients are more susceptible to late diagnosis, and, in particular, to a lack of early detection screening. In addition, by being diagnosed in the advanced stages, patients are far more vulnerable to increased morbidity, decreased quality of life, decreased chances of survival and, often, increased costs.
Health insurance makes it easier to control diabetes
A study by Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center found a significant disparity in the blood sugar levels of Hispanics versus non-Hispanics (Winston-Salem Journal, Feb 16, 2008).
The study's lead author, Dr. Julienne Kirk, revealed the difference was most noticeable among non-managed-care insurance groups and observed that:
- A high percentage of Hispanics in the U.S. have low incomes
- A high percentage of Hispanics in the U.S. have no health insurance
- A high percentage of Hispanics in the U.S. have limited access to healthcare
While the study focuses on Hispanics, it is reasonable to assume that a lack of health insurance puts you more at risk of worsening diabetes no matter what your color or race.
Life with diabetes and without health insurance not recommended
In an article by DailyPress.com (Jan 29, 2008) a Virginia wife and mother recounts the difficulties she experienced when she had no health insurance and could not afford her insulin and other prescription drugs needed to control her blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Fortunately for the 28-year-old, a new Uninsured Program in Virginia has recently been able to step in and cover the costs of her medications. As with the findings from the cancer studies, her quality of life diminished without health insurance, in her case leading to hospitalization.
There is a theme here, isn't there? Which in a country with over 47 million uninsured is not good news.
Further related reading: North Carolina Health Insurance and Virginia Health Insurance.