Health Care to the Poor and Uninsured
The Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives (KCNPNM) is committed to supporting the highest quality of health care for all. Therefore, the KCNPNM recognizes the vast need for provisions of health care for the indigent and uninsured, thereby supporting improvement of access to quality care for those mentioned.
WHEREAS, a person is defined as uninsured if he/she does not have any private heath insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, State Children‘s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), state-sponsored or other government-sponsored health plan, or military plan. A person is uninsured if he /she has only Indian Health Service coverage or a plan that that pays for one type of service such as accidents or dental care.
WHEREAS, the Census Bureau reported in 2007 that over 47 million people from working families lacked health care insurance (9 million were children).
WHEREAS, in Kentucky 20% of population were at or below 100% poverty in 2007 and 41% under 200% poverty. (Hispanic/Latino 2%, African American 8%, Asian 1%, American Indian/Alaska Native 0%, White 90%).
WHEREAS, America spends nearly $100 billion per year to provide health services for uninsured residents. Most often treated are preventable diseases or diseases that could be treated more efficiently is diagnosed earlier. Those who lack insurance are 40% more likely to be hospitalized for avoidable conditions incurring an average cost of $3,300 per stay. People without health insurance average paying 35% of health care out-of-pocket, creating burdensome debts since most have no assets.
The uninsured suffer negative healthcare consequences due to the lack of consistent necessary medical care including premature death.
WHEREAS, hospitals donate approximately $37 billion worth of uncompensated care annually. Private and public payers provide another $37 billion . Those who lack coverage pay approximately $26 billion out-of-pocket.
THEREFORE, The KCNPNM is committed to promotion of public awareness of programs available for the underserved and uninsured. The KCNPNM resolves to enlighten legislators regarding the current status of health care for the uninsured and encourage legislation that will aide those without health insurance.
Sources:
DeNavas-Walt, CB Proctor, and J. Smith. Income , Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States :2006 US Census Beaureau., August 2207. http//www.census.gov/prod/2007pubs/p60-233.PDF
The Henry J. Kaiser Family foundation. The Uninsured: A Primer, Key Facts About Americans without Health Insurance. October 2006. http//www.kff.org/uninsured
Consumer Reports. Are you really covered? September,2007
Clinton's Mandatory Health Care Insurance Plans. http//www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/17/health.care/index/html
Obama'08 Healthcare. http//www.barackobama.com/issues/heathcare
(CDC Data & Statistics/People without Health Insurance Coverage. http//www.cdc.gov/Feature/dsHealthInsurance)
Physical Activity for Children and Adult Health
WHEREAS:
The American Heart Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Healthy People 2010 and the Kentucky Nutrition & Physical Activity State Action Plan 2005 name Physical Activity as a leading health indicator, and
WHEREAS:
Regular physical activity reduces the risk for heart attack, helps control weight, reduces chronic disease such as colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, reduces falls in older adults, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression, and can help people avoid developing functional limitations, and
WHEREAS, Obesity among adults in Kentucky has more than doubled since 1990 and has stayed steadily above the national level for each year, and:
· Only 33.8% of adults in Kentucky meet CDC recommendations for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five or more days per week or vigorous physical activity for 20+ minutes three or more days per week
· 35% of Kentucky adults are physically inactive compared to 27% of adults nationwide,
· About 8% of Kentucky boys and 13% of girls are physically inactive
· Only 35% of Kentucky High School students report being in a physical education class compared to over 51% nationwide
· 31% of high school students watch three or more hours of TV each day---an indicator of physical inactivity; and
WHEREAS: Nurses and their nursing societies have the ability and opportunity to positively influence nutritional and physical activity behaviors of their patients, families and communities, now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives encourage members to regularly assess and counsel their patients and families about the importance of physical activity and nutritional behaviors that improve health, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Midwives work with schools and other organizations to create environments that facilitate healthy nutritional and physical activity behaviors among children and adults
references:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/aag/dnpa.htm
http://www.americanheart.org/
http://www.healthypeople.gov/
Kentucky Department for Public Health Division of Adult and Child Health Improvement (2005). The Kentucky Nutrition & Physical Activity State Action Plan 2005. http://www.fitky.org/
KCNPNM Board of Directors
November 14, 2006
Received Central District Medical Services Award from the Ky Association of Health Care Facilities