Uninsured Twice as Likely to Die After ER Visits

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  • Nickdfresh
    SUPER MODERATOR

    • Oct 2004
    • 49565

    Uninsured Twice as Likely to Die After ER Visits

    Uninsured ER patients twice as likely to die
    New study highlights disparity of care for those who don't have coverage

    The Associated Press
    updated 4:00 p.m. ET, Mon., Nov . 16, 2009

    CHICAGO - Uninsured patients with traumatic injuries, such as car crashes, falls and gunshot wounds, were almost twice as likely to die in the hospital as similarly injured patients with health insurance, according to a troubling new study.

    The findings by Harvard University researchers surprised doctors and health experts who have believed emergency room care was equitable.

    "This is another drop in a sea of evidence that the uninsured fare much worse in their health in the United States," said senior author Dr. Atul Gawande, a Harvard surgeon and medical journalist.

    The study, appearing in the November issue of Archives of Surgery, comes as Congress is debating the expansion of health insurance coverage to millions more Americans. It could add fodder to that debate.

    The researchers couldn't pin down the reasons behind the differences they found. The uninsured might experience more delays being transferred from hospital to hospital. Or they might get different care. Or they could have more trouble communicating with doctors.

    The hospitals that treat them also could have fewer resources.

    "Those hospitals tend to be financially strapped, not have the same level of staffing, not have the same level of surgeons and testing and equipment," Gawande said. "That also is likely a major contributor."

    Gawande favors health care reform and has frequently written about the inequities of the current system.

    The researchers took into account the severity of the injuries and the patients' race, gender and age. After those adjustments, they still found the uninsured were 80 percent more likely to die than those with insurance — even low-income patients insured by the government's Medicaid program.

    "I'm really surprised," said Dr. Eric Lavonas of the American College of Emergency Physicians and a doctor at Denver Health Medical Center. "It's well known that people without health insurance don't get the same quality of health care in this country, but I would have thought that this group of patients would be the least vulnerable."

    Private hospitals more likely to transfer uninsured
    Some private hospitals are more likely to transfer an uninsured patient than an insured patient, said Lavonas, who wasn't involved in the new research.

    "Sometimes we get patients transferred and we suspect they're being transferred because of payment issues," he said. "The transferring physician says, 'We're not able to handle this."'

    Federal law requires hospital ERs to treat all patients who are medically unstable. But hospitals can transfer patients, or send them away, once they're stabilized. A transfer could worsen a patient's condition by delaying treatment.

    The researchers analyzed data on nearly 690,000 U.S. patients from 2002 through 2006. Burn patients were not included, nor were people who were treated and released, or dead on arrival.

    In the study, the overall death rate was 4.7 percent, so most emergency room patients survived their injuries. The commercially insured patients had a death rate of 3.3 percent. The uninsured patients' death rate was 5.7 percent. Those rates were before the adjustments for other risk factors.

    The findings are based on an analysis of data from the National Trauma Data Bank, which includes more than 900 U.S. hospitals.

    "We have to take the findings very seriously," said lead author Dr. Heather Rosen, a surgery resident at Los Angeles County Hospital, who found similar results when she analyzed children's trauma data for an earlier study. "This affects every person, of every age, of every race."

    © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

    Uninsured ER patients twice as likely to die - Health care- msnbc.com
    Last edited by Nickdfresh; 11-19-2009, 11:40 AM.
  • Seshmeister
    ROTH ARMY WEBMASTER

    • Oct 2003
    • 35752

    #2
    That is shocking.

    It's not a political thing, I'm honestly really confused by the people here who are against public health care for everyone.

    Usually I don't post in purely domestic US subjects but I thought I had to help alleviate the lies being told.

    I'm really depressed and shocked by the power of the lobbyists being able to own people and scare them into being against their own self interest.

    As the weather turns worse it really makes me appreciate how lucky I am not living in the US.

    Cheers

    Comment

    • Big Train
      Full Member Status

      • Apr 2004
      • 4013

      #3
      Originally posted by Seshmeister
      That is shocking.

      It's not a political thing, I'm honestly really confused by the people here who are against public health care for everyone.

      Usually I don't post in purely domestic US subjects but I thought I had to help alleviate the lies being told.

      That's a good policy.

      I'm really depressed and shocked by the power of the lobbyists being able to own people and scare them into being against their own self interest.

      As the weather turns worse it really makes me appreciate how lucky I am not living in the US.

      Cheers
      Well because it is amazing how much infomation is left out and therefore the "lies" seem bigger than they are.

      How many emergency patients were not US citizens? Can't ask, Can't tell seems to be our policy. When you add in those costs to the "public option" the numbers are quite staggering. Illegals are patched up and sent on their way "humane emergency care", so why should they be shocked that the rate is so high? The money that MAY have been there to help the mentally ill, the infirm is going out the door to whomever walks across the border.

      This "you are so heartless" BS is just that. Common sense solutions are there. But poorly thought out and executed half baked public option plans which will not solve anything and will more than likely cause more woe.

      Comment

      • LoungeMachine
        DIAMOND STATUS
        • Jul 2004
        • 32576

        #4
        Originally posted by Big Train

        How many emergency patients were not US citizens?
        What does it matter?

        Your Xenophobia is showing.

        If your child was travelling abroad and was hurt in a tragic accident, or came down with a life-threatening illness, and the foreign ER wouldnt treat them because they werent a citizen you'd be outraged and heartbroken.

        Your callousness to your fellow man is really disgusting at times, you know that?

        Of course you do.

        Originally posted by Kristy
        Dude, what in the fuck is wrong with you? I'm full of hate and I do drugs.
        Originally posted by cadaverdog
        I posted under aliases and I jerk off with a sock. Anything else to add?

        Comment

        • Satan
          ROTH ARMY ELITE
          • Jan 2004
          • 6664

          #5
          I'm the Devil, and I have more "Christ like compassion" than most Repukes do.

          And they call ME the father of lies, and the source of all evil?
          Eternally Under the Authority of Satan

          Originally posted by Sockfucker
          I've been in several mental institutions but not in Bakersfield.

          Comment

          • jhale667
            DIAMOND STATUS
            • Aug 2004
            • 20929

            #6
            Ka-blam!!!

            Originally posted by LoungeMachine
            What does it matter?

            Your Xenophobia is showing.

            If your child was travelling abroad and was hurt in a tragic accident, or came down with a life-threatening illness, and the foreign ER wouldnt treat them because they werent a citizen you'd be outraged and heartbroken.

            Your callousness to your fellow man is really disgusting at times, you know that?

            Of course you do.

            Originally posted by conmee
            If anyone even thinks about deleting the Muff Thread they are banned.... no questions asked.

            That is all.

            Icon.
            Originally posted by GO-SPURS-GO
            I've seen prominent hypocrite liberal on this site Jhale667


            Originally posted by Isaac R.
            Then it's really true??

            The Muff Thread is really just GONE ???

            OMFG...who in their right mind...???
            Originally posted by eddie78
            I was wrong about you, brother. You're good.

            Comment

            • Big Train
              Full Member Status

              • Apr 2004
              • 4013

              #7
              Originally posted by LoungeMachine
              What does it matter?

              Your Xenophobia is showing.

              If your child was travelling abroad and was hurt in a tragic accident, or came down with a life-threatening illness, and the foreign ER wouldnt treat them because they werent a citizen you'd be outraged and heartbroken.

              Your callousness to your fellow man is really disgusting at times, you know that?

              Of course you do.

              Yea, exactly. I'm just sticking to the math, I will justify myself to you sometime after the cows come home.

              If my child was TRAVELING abroad yes, he should be treated (and I'm not against emergency, life threatening healthcare. Just using it regularly AS your healthcare, which many do, since they are LIVING here illegally).

              Comment

              • Terry
                DIAMOND STATUS
                • Jan 2004
                • 12123

                #8
                Think at the very least health insurance coverage should be severed from the workplace. An affordable system should be made available (don't give me that COBRA bullshit) that isn't tied to the contingency of being employed, and therefore doesn't end when employment at a company ends.

                Sadly, what really should be done re: health insurance, won't. Nobody will make any sacrifices. Not in terms of increased taxes, not in terms of anything.
                Scramby eggs and bacon.

                Comment

                • jhale667
                  DIAMOND STATUS
                  • Aug 2004
                  • 20929

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Terry
                  An affordable system should be made available (don't give me that COBRA bullshit) that isn't tied to the contingency of being employed, and therefore doesn't end when employment at a company ends.
                  Totally hear ya on that one. The COBRA equivalent of my current PPO would be staggering. Don't even wanna think about that one.

                  Sadly, what really should be done re: health insurance, won't. Nobody will make any sacrifices. Not in terms of increased taxes, not in terms of anything.
                  It's seeming more like that daily...
                  Originally posted by conmee
                  If anyone even thinks about deleting the Muff Thread they are banned.... no questions asked.

                  That is all.

                  Icon.
                  Originally posted by GO-SPURS-GO
                  I've seen prominent hypocrite liberal on this site Jhale667


                  Originally posted by Isaac R.
                  Then it's really true??

                  The Muff Thread is really just GONE ???

                  OMFG...who in their right mind...???
                  Originally posted by eddie78
                  I was wrong about you, brother. You're good.

                  Comment

                  • LoungeMachine
                    DIAMOND STATUS
                    • Jul 2004
                    • 32576

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Big Train
                    If my child was TRAVELING abroad yes, he should be treated (and I'm not against emergency, life threatening healthcare. Just using it regularly AS your healthcare, which many do, since they are LIVING here illegally).
                    *backpeddle*

                    Originally posted by Kristy
                    Dude, what in the fuck is wrong with you? I'm full of hate and I do drugs.
                    Originally posted by cadaverdog
                    I posted under aliases and I jerk off with a sock. Anything else to add?

                    Comment

                    • Big Train
                      Full Member Status

                      • Apr 2004
                      • 4013

                      #11
                      I don't see that, since I just explained to you what I see to be the problem.

                      Perhaps we can actually debate when you finish your temper tantrum, cuz I'm just so mean...

                      Comment

                      • hideyoursheep
                        ROTH ARMY ELITE
                        • Jan 2007
                        • 6351

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Big Train
                        I don't see that, since I just explained to you what I see to be the problem.

                        Perhaps we can actually debate when you finish your temper tantrum, cuz I'm just so mean...
                        Sorry.

                        I can't be as polite as Lounge.

                        1."what you see to be the problem" is proof positive that you continue to pull things straight out of your ass. You're The Boy In The Plastic Douchebag. Your perception of reality is so fucked up, you think it's fact. Illegals are driving the cost of healthcare up? ...You have no data to back this up....and don't try and show us any "California statistics" because believe it or not, the United States is a much bigger place, and ran much more efficiently than that shithole state that just couldn't wait to make an Austrian bodybuilder the Governor.

                        I've witnessed firsthand the exploitation and so-called "emergency care" available to Illegals who get injured on the job here. They are scared shitless to go into a hospital. They opt out for some other "doctor" who speaks the language and operates out of his or her home...for a fee.-Usually another illegal. No paper trail, no accident report, no getting caught by the INS. It's fucking inhuman.

                        2. There's no "debating" with you. It's pointless because shit continues to fly from your backside when logic and fact should be coming from your brain and translated onto the boards via your fingers.

                        I'm not calling you a liar, I'm calling you a goddamned liar.

                        Feel free to own me into oblivion with some truth. Just once.


                        You flaming asshole...

                        Comment

                        • thome
                          ROTH ARMY ELITE
                          • Mar 2005
                          • 6678

                          #13
                          Originally posted by hideyoursheep
                          Sorry.

                          I can't be as polite as Lounge.

                          1."what you see to be the problem" is proof positive that you continue to pull things straight out of your ass. You're The Boy In The Plastic Douchebag. Your perception of reality is so fucked up, you think it's fact. Illegals are driving the cost of healthcare up? ...You have no data to back this up....and don't try and show us any "California statistics" because believe it or not, the United States is a much bigger place, and ran much more efficiently than that shithole state that just couldn't wait to make an Austrian bodybuilder the Governor.

                          I've witnessed firsthand the exploitation and so-called "emergency care" available to Illegals who get injured on the job here. They are scared shitless to go into a hospital. They opt out for some other "doctor" who speaks the language and operates out of his or her home...for a fee.-Usually another illegal. No paper trail, no accident report, no getting caught by the INS. It's fucking inhuman.

                          2. There's no "debating" with you. It's pointless because shit continues to fly from your backside when logic and fact should be coming from your brain and translated onto the boards via your fingers.

                          I'm not calling you a liar, I'm calling you a goddamned liar.

                          Feel free to own me into oblivion with some truth. Just once.


                          You flaming asshole...
                          Your (past tense implied within the thought composition of the sentence construction) the Skizzo!

                          You seem to think your post makes all those -Illegals Innocent- of fukking this country out of the Billions they send back to Mexico.

                          FIGHT THE POWER!
                          Last edited by thome; 11-20-2009, 01:09 PM.

                          Comment

                          • jhale667
                            DIAMOND STATUS
                            • Aug 2004
                            • 20929

                            #14
                            You'RE a moron.

                            Originally posted by thome
                            Your the Skizzo!
                            Says the guy that can't use a contraction properly...

                            Originally posted by conmee
                            If anyone even thinks about deleting the Muff Thread they are banned.... no questions asked.

                            That is all.

                            Icon.
                            Originally posted by GO-SPURS-GO
                            I've seen prominent hypocrite liberal on this site Jhale667


                            Originally posted by Isaac R.
                            Then it's really true??

                            The Muff Thread is really just GONE ???

                            OMFG...who in their right mind...???
                            Originally posted by eddie78
                            I was wrong about you, brother. You're good.

                            Comment

                            • thome
                              ROTH ARMY ELITE
                              • Mar 2005
                              • 6678

                              #15
                              IT'S "YOUR" PAST TENSE YOU FUKKING KOKK! NOT PRESENT AGGGGGGGGGGGGgggggggggggggggggggggggggggg

                              SUKKIT YOU GEENUSSES AND YOU'R HORSE RODE IN ON!!!

                              Hale, you ..cool rat bastard!

                              Comment

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