Uninsured trauma patients die at a rate that is 89% higher than their insured counterparts

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

A new study in the Archives of Surgery, studied the survival rates of trauma patients looking to see if there was a difference between insured and uninsured patients. To reduce the instance of outside factors causing death, the study looked specifically at patients 18 to 30 years of age. Since this group is healthier than older folks it makes for a good control. The findings were pretty shocking.

First off, we need to talk about the fact that when someone comes to a trauma center it does not matter if they are insured or not. The Emergency Medical Treatment And Active Labor Act of 1986 requires all trauma patients regardless of any other status (citizenship, immigration status, insurance, ability to pay) to be treated when they are in risk of dying. This Act was put in place in response to the dumping of uninsured patients on inferior hospitals or on the street.

In theory, this means if you are uninsured and you have a car accident or are shot, then you will get the treatment you need to stay alive. The practice shows there are problems with this system. Uninsured trauma patients 18 to 30 years of age die at a rate that is 89% higher than their insured counter parts. Let that sink in for a minute. If you are a healthy 20 something, without insurance, you have nearly a ninety percent higher chance of dying than if you had insurance.

To be clear the issue is not the trauma nurses and doctors. They get someone in dire straights in the ER, they go to work and do the work. But once someone is stabilized and not in immediate danger of dying the care seems to taper off as costs rise. The study finds that uninsured patients are significantly less likely to be admitted to a hospital and they received far less radiological (MRI, CT, X-ray) studies than insured patients.

Uninsured trauma patients are also far less likely to be admitted to a rehabilitation facility (long-term care for those who are not ready to go home but are not sick enough to need full hospitalization). In addition, the uninsured tend to be less medically literate than their insured counterparts are. This leads to communication issues with the doctors. It also makes it less likely for them to request specific treatment for symptoms and problems with their care.

All of this is just more in the mountain of evidence for universal coverage for all citizens. It is clear from the data in this study and others that insurance is not something you should choose to purchase, it is something which is required for any kind of reasonable life in a modern nation. There is no time in your life where you are "safe" from needing insurance. While many diseases develop midlife there is nothing to prevent early onset from happing. There is no way to know when you will be hit by a truck or fall off your bike or be the victim of violent crime and require hundreds of thousands of dollars of care to become healthy (if you ever do get back to where you were). Asking anyone to evaluate these risks compared to cost is insane, especially for Americans.

http://squarestate.net/diary/8938/uninsure...e-likely-to-die

[Heracles 417]

For obvious reasons too. While a hospital is forced to provide emergency treatment, they are unable to assist them with followup visits since they are not an emergency.

The questions is do I want to pay for a gangsta who has been shot. Probably never paid more than $10 in Tax in their life. I have no problem paying for the needy or disadvantage but I refuse to pay for thugs. Yep, muc like they have little regard for human life, I don't give a #### if they die either..

Why should I pay for this low life?

Edited November 17, 2009 by Booyah!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

For obvious reasons too. While a hospital is forced to provide emergency treatment, they are unable to assist them with followup visits since they are not an emergency.

The questions is do i want to pay for a gangsta who has been shot. Probably never paid more than $10 in Tax in their life.

Why should I pay for this low life?

Are you willing to spite thousands of people who are members of the working poor, who have jobs and pay taxes and aren't gangsters, just for the emotional pleasure of spiting one actual gangster?

[Heracles 417]

Are you willing to spite thousands of people who are members of the working poor, who have jobs and pay taxes and aren't gangsters, just for the emotional pleasure of spiting one actual gangster?

I have no problem paying for them.

One guess who here volunteers here on their weekend to assist these folks.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Are you willing to spite thousands of people who are members of the working poor, who have jobs and pay taxes and aren't gangsters, just for the emotional pleasure of spiting one actual gangster?

I have no problem paying for them.

One guess who here volunteers here on their weekend to assist these folks.

Certainly not the guy without friends. Sociopaths don't volunteer.

[Heracles 417]

Certainly not the guy without friends. Sociopaths don't volunteer.

I got friends bud, just don't need any of the A.J types from here. All of my friends tend to live outside the US. Not interested in being friends with a bunch of uncultured low life losers, who pander to the bottom of the barrel in society. Yes the _________.

Not only do I donate more than you or anyone of your friends here but I also regularly volunteer during my weekends. Never mentioned it before because I like to laugh at you guys making idiotic assumptions. Also know to us from the first world as walking the talk.

Edited November 17, 2009 by Booyah!

[alienlovechild 75]

In addition, the uninsured tend to be less medically literate than their insured counterparts are. This leads to communication issues with the doctors. It also makes it less likely for them to request specific treatment for symptoms and problems with their care.

And healthcare reforms will make the less medically literate somehow more medically literate. They haven't done such wonders with public schools so the dimwits not currently using stuff like Medicaid aren't likely to get better care under Obamacare.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I got friends

No you don't, loser.

[rebeccajo 14]

In addition, the uninsured tend to be less medically literate than their insured counterparts are. This leads to communication issues with the doctors. It also makes it less likely for them to request specific treatment for symptoms and problems with their care.

And healthcare reforms will make the less medically literate somehow more medically literate. They haven't done such wonders with public schools so the dimwits not currently using stuff like Medicaid aren't likely to get better care under Obamacare.

Do you realize that it's not EASY to get Medicaid? That if two spouses are both working low-earning jobs and don't have a chronic medical or mental condition, that they probably don't qualify?

And do you realize that the Federal Government helps to fund Medicaid - already?

Are you just clueless?

[alienlovechild 75]

In addition, the uninsured tend to be less medically literate than their insured counterparts are. This leads to communication issues with the doctors. It also makes it less likely for them to request specific treatment for symptoms and problems with their care.

And healthcare reforms will make the less medically literate somehow more medically literate. They haven't done such wonders with public schools so the dimwits not currently using stuff like Medicaid aren't likely to get better care under Obamacare.

Do you realize that it's not EASY to get Medicaid? That if two spouses are both working low-earning jobs and don't have a chronic medical or mental condition, that they probably don't qualify?

And do you realize that the Federal Government helps to fund Medicaid - already?

Are you just clueless?

The study was on trauma care not a chronic condition but you don't know the difference or didn't read the article which is usually the case for you.

Of course the Federal government funds Medicaid, who said it didn't?

Still waiting to know on how the less medically literate are going to get smarter under Obamacare. There is an answer that one but you probably won't figure it out.