Sick Economy Has Patients Skimping on Medicine

News Type: Event — Seeded on Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:42 PM EDT

Article Source: The New York Times

health, economy-making-people-sicker, sick-economy

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 even more costly treatment in the long run.

''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.''

In Lombard, Ill., Donald Hendricks lost his job over the summer at an event-planning company. When two of his six children came down with a fever and sore throat several weeks ago, he could not afford the gas money to drive them to the doctor. He gave them soup and soda instead, and they got better.

Published to:

luckydog's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Alternative Health & Wellness, HealthVine, Joe Biden Forum, Left of Center, Living with Less, Michael Moore's Army, Political Analysis, Sicko, Silly and Stupid
Regions: New York

What's this?

Who's leading the conversation?

This visualization below allows you to see the impact that each user has on the current conversation. The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera). Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the left, in their corresponding group. Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the number of votes their comments have received. The scores are calculated relative one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.

1.6

{"commentId":3634537,"authorDomain":"luckydog"}

luckydog

Another example if any is needed to illustrate the need for a national health care plan.

{"commentId":3634537,"threadId":"396129","contentId":"2028452","authorDomain":"luckydog"}

1 vote

#1 - Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:44 PM EDT

{"commentId":3663364,"authorDomain":"vcr1doc"}

just_a_disabled_veteran

Being a disabled veteran I know we have to wait for help. But with the care we get from our government we cant afford the copayment for my non service connected medications. So no more diabetic or cholesterol medications. Even with teeth that need to be removed you just hope you can put up with the pain. Even with dental insurance we can't come up with the 25% to have the work done. You have to cut out what you cant afford. What a little more pain in your life.

{"commentId":3663364,"threadId":"396129","contentId":"2028452","authorDomain":"vcr1doc"}

1 vote

#2 - Thu Oct 23, 2008 9:59 PM EDT

{"commentId":3666329,"authorDomain":"luckydog"}

luckydog

Hang in there jadv. Hopefully Obama and a new more powerful Democratic congress can get you more benefits and reduce those co-payments.

{"commentId":3666329,"threadId":"396129","contentId":"2028452","authorDomain":"luckydog"}

#3 - Fri Oct 24, 2008 1:25 AM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"396129","isPrivate":false}

	Sick Economy Has Patients Skimping On Meds - New Poll Shows More Postponing Needed Care	WFTV.com	Thu Oct 23	2
	Sick economy has patients skimping on medicine	Associated Press	Wed Oct 22	5

LUCKYDOG

Backyard

Sick Economy Has Patients Skimping on Medicine

Published to:

FUN STUFF:

COMPANY STUFF:

LEGAL STUFF: