Sick economy has patients skimping on medicine

[UpInArms]

Source: Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) -- The ailing economy is leading many Americans to skip doctor visits, skimp on their medicine, and put off mammograms, Pap smears and other tests. And physicians worry the result will be sicker patients who need more expensive treatment later.

"I have to pretty much be very ill to go to the doctor," said Julie Shelley, a 49-year-old office manager and mother of three from West Milton, Ohio. "I'm probably at the age where I should have a checkup or physical. I'm not going to do it. I am last on the list."

<snip>

In Indianapolis, Raechelle Miles lost her job at an auto parts plant in July, and lost nearly everything else in a tornado. Now her dental fillings are falling out, and she is putting off a visit to the dentist, even though she realizes that may lead to more expensive treatment later on.

"The health care system was not in a good state really any time in the last five to 10 years. This has simply stressed it to a very severe degree," said Dr. Eric Schackow, a family physician in Chicago. "It does become very disheartening and discouraging because we find ourselves with our fingers in the dike."

The numbers show Americans are increasingly putting their health at risk:

- More and more are postponing needed care, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released Tuesday. The portion who said they or a family member have put off needed care climbed to 36 percent in the Oct. 8-13 telephone poll, up from 29 percent in April. Almost one-third had skipped a recommended test or treatment, up from 24 percent. In both cases, about one-fifth said their condition got worse as a result.

Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MED_MELTDOWN_HEALTH_CARE?SITE=MOCOD&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-10-22-15-55-00

[amdezurik]

1. if she lost her job, she is a bad slave

and McPain-in-the-ass and her/his base don't give a rats ass...unless it is them, then it tin-foil hat time.

[summer borealis]

2. I've replaced THREE prescriptions

with red wine!
Really.

[shadowknows69]

3. Welcome to my world

[machI]

4. Thank you George Bush, Billions to an illegal war, Billions more in tax breaks for the wealthy

but no funds to help with health care for Americans.

[Stuart G]

11. I agree...

But no funds for health care..
....BUT BUSH WILL GET Health CARE.."

SCREW BUSH...

[pork medley]

5. i can't wait until the democrats implement UHC!

i've got high hopes!

[kikiek]

8. Well you'll be waiting a long time. You should read up on the actual Obama plan.

[crossroads]

6. Sick sick sick! This is really sick!

[kikiek]

7. And the hospitals and clinics are headed for financial disaster. This is a crisis that cannot wait.

We need to demand an answer to the health care crisis now.

[Mari333]

9. I havent had a mammogram or pap smear in 10 yrs

cant afford it. shame on me, but oh well.

[blue neen]

10. I work in a pharmacy, and we particularly see a lot of seniors who stop

taking their medicine once they hit the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole"...another GENIUS Bush Administration policy. :eyes:

We worry so much about our customers and hate to see this happen, but sometimes they have to choose between food and medicine, or heat and food and medicine.

[pitohui]

12. wow what was their first clue?

count me in that number -- even WITH insurance i can't deal with

got a phone call from the pharmacy scolding me for not refilling but fuck it, call me and chew me out when you're paying my bills, dude or robot or whatever it is that makes these calls...