Advocacy Advisory

So I got something in my work email box today titled the "Advocacy Advisory." I don't know why I received it, but I understand why it is relevant to the health system I work for. A lot of what we do politically is aimed at curbing the government's pressing need to cut benefits for the poor. This benefits us, too, of course, because as a nonprofit health system we are required to provide a certain amount of indigent care to the communities we serve at a loss to us. (And because our mission is to "extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.")

But I digress. I thought this news item, ripped straight from The Los Angeles Times (1/3/06) was sad and meaningful. I had no idea that Katrina would affect people this way. Guess I just never thought about it:

The continuing toll of Hurricane Katrina now includes those who will likely face being among the ranks of the uninsured. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana estimates that 200,000 state residents who had health insurance through an employer will lose those benefits as cash-strapped companies cut staff or go out of business. According to experts, it is one of the largest groups to lose medical coverage because of a single event. Prior to the hurricane, 866,000 of Louisiana’s 4.4 million residents were uninsured, partly due to high poverty rates and lower-than-average rates of employer-sponsored health coverage. The rate is expected to worsen because it is anticipated that few newly unemployed people will decide to buy their own health insurance, while those who still have jobs might see benefit cuts. A rule imposed by state officials that insurance companies keep medical policies active even if premiums had not been paid expired November 2005. Now insurance companies are preparing to cancel policies if premiums are not paid. In addition, New Orleans health care system is not prepared to take on the burden of the uninsured as eight local hospitals are closed and thousands of doctors have left the area. One of the only options state officials have is to wait for federal help. Fred Cerise, head of Louisiana’s DHH said, “What these hurricanes have demonstrated in that having insurance for most adults is only as good as having a job…and that relationship can be tenuous.”

Evacuees Add to State Health Care Costs. Officials in Texas, Georgia and other states face daunting questions about 2006 health care and other costs for the hundreds of thousands of individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Georgia officials have said that state health care and education costs could increase by $100 million in 2006 in the event that 44,000 hurricane evacuees decide to stay. In addition, Texas officials have said that state costs could increase by $550 million in 2006 if 400,000 hurricane evacuees decide to remain in that state. FEMA will likely reimburse states for many costs, but state officials remain unaware of the amount of funds they will receive and when they will receive them.