What Algorithms Tell Us About Structural Racism in Health Care

[guillaumeb]

From the article:

In a medical system premised on profits and ability to pay, racial disparity presents in ability to afford the high cost of premiums, deductibles and co-pays that disproportionately discourages African Americans from getting needed medical care.

A research study on a commercial computer program used to allocate health care resources on predicted future health care costs provided a window on the ongoing pervasive impact of structural racism in our nation’s health care system.
Moreover, the research published in Science magazine reinforced how structural racism persists throughout society, including disparities in income, housing and other social and economic factors, and the impact that has on disparities in health.
The study focuses on an algorithm used by health systems, insurers, and practitioners to predict which patients with complex medical needs should receive extra medical care. The ostensible goal is to slash costs by suggesting those patients receive “high risk management” at less expensive primary care levels...

Far more is needed as well to redress the type of structural racism exposed in this study. Medicare for All, that guarantees no one is denied care based on how much they pay, where they live, or their race, gender, or nationality, would be a huge step forward in reducing the national stain of racial disparities in health.

To read more:

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/10/29/what-algorithms-tell-us-about-structural-racism-health-care?cd-origin=rss&utm_term=AO&utm_campaign=Daily%20Newsletter&utm_content=email&utm_source=Daily%20Newsletter&utm_medium=email

The US system of profit centered healthcare, or profit obsessed healthcare, is designed to allow the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry to profit massively at our expense.

Bad health outcomes for non-white Americans are an inevitable result, and one of the huge hidden costs of the US healthcare system.

If anyone tells you that we cannot afford Medicare for All, remind them that we truly cannot afford the current system that puts profits first.

[abqtommy]

1. I refuse to believe that there is any sharp divide between poor families of any "race"/ethnicity

"in ability to afford the high cost of premiums, deductibles and co-pays that disproportionately discourages African Americans from getting needed medical care." I know for a fact that there are many ethnic white and ethnic brown people who can't afford health care either and Medicare For All will help all of us.

[guillaumeb]

2. Medicare for All is the obvious solution.

And while poor people in general have worse healthcare options and outcomes, it is even worse in minority areas.