insurance subsidies
A flood of uninsured patients can flood the health care system following the end of the benefits of federal subsidy for the uninsured.
Robert Resendes, director of Yavapai County Community Health Services, said the current recession that has already extended the programs of your organization.
"Since the economy began to decline, we have seen a huge increase in our numbers," Resendes said. "We expected to see a continued increase. In the last three years we have seen a doubling of patients in our clinics. "The county offers sliding scale fees for medical service and dental. Patients using the sliding scale clinics have increased from 15,270 for the fiscal year ending June 2007 to 22,831 in 2008 to 27,379 for the year ended in June 2009.
Families USA, a national organization of consumers of health care, said that unless lawmakers extend subsidies, many Arizona workers who lose their jobs also could lose federal funding under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 1985 (COBRA) on December 1. The grants began in March under the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and included those established in early September 1 2008.
Those eligible to pay 35 percent of COBRA premiums, and the remaining 65 percent goes to the insurance company through a tax credit according to the Department of Labor.
Without the ongoing assistance with the payment of COBRA premiums for health insurance to a total of 83 per cent of the unemployment check average, putting the coverage of health care out of reach for many U.S. families holds.
However, U.S. Representative Ann Kirkpatrick said, via e-mail, that Congress can debate the proposals to extend temporary assistance in December but has not worked in the details.
"We have to be focused on doing everything possible to create and save jobs in our communities so that more people can get and keep their insurance, "said Kirkpatrick." That remains my priority. This program has done something good, but it remains expensive for our working families – is a temporary measure. "
Robbie Nicol, spokesman Yavapai Regional Medical Center, was uncertain to what extent the change would affect hospitals.
"It is difficult to determine accurately the impact this proposed change in COBRA laws will have on our environmental requirements, "said Nicol." Certainly, it can mean an increase in patients who are uninsured, but I have no data that would help me be more specific. "
"We want to reassure all communities in our emergency rooms Prescott and Prescott Valley are available to them 24 / 7 when they need us, "said Nicol.
Meanwhile, the county has hired more doctors to meet growing demand, Resendes said.
"We anticipate an increase in patients," said Resendes. "It's a bit difficult to be proactive. I've never done or seen before. We will promptly reactive. We try to build in enough flexibility that we will be elastic. We are the safety net .
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