GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – El Congreso debe tomar acción antes del primero de octubre para frenar un recorte del 70 por ciento de fondos federales para la red nacional de unos 1,400 centros de salud que atienden a casi 27 millones de pacientes.

Un ajuste propuesto a la crisis de presupuesto fue introducido ante la Cámara de Representantes (House of Representatives), y dos miembros de la delegación de Colorado dicen que respaldarán la medida.

Mientras el Senado se apura para rechazar y sustituir la Ley de Cuidado Asequible (Affordable Care Act) antes del 30 de septiembre, hay otra fecha límite para la salud que está recibiendo mucho menos atención.

Si el Congreso de los Estados Unidos (US House) no recupera antes del 1º de octubre los fondos para el Programa de Centros de Salud (Health Centers Program), de los que dependen 1,400 centros de salud que atienden a 27 millones de pacientes en todo el país, el programa podría perder 70 por ciento de sus fondos federales.

Ross Brooks, Presidente de Consejo (CEO) de los Centros Mountain de Salud Familiar (Mountain Family Health Centers), anticipa las posibles consecuencias negativas.

“Hay unos 62,000 pacientes que reciben atención a través de centros comunitarios de salud en Colorado, que están en riesgo de perder este servicio. En mi centro comunitario de salud de “Western Colorado” hay unos 6,000 pacientes que podrían perderlo.”

La Ley de Inversión para la Modernización y Excelencia de la Salud Comunitaria (Community Health Investment Modernization, and Excellence Act, CHIME) HR 3770 fue llevada a la Cámara. Brooks dice que su aprobación proveería un nivel de fondos este año y garantizaría un flujo sólido de recursos para los próximos cinco años. La iniciativa tiene actualmente 13 copatrocinadores, y dos miembros de la delegación de Colorado han dicho que se unirán oficialmente al esfuerzo pasado el receso.

El Programa de Seguro de Salud Infantil (Child Health Insurance Program), que atiende a unos 9 millones de niños a nivel nacional, también expira el primero de octubre. La semana pasada, miembros del Comité Senatorial de Finanzas acordaron en principio extender el programa CHIP otros cinco años. Brooks dice que, si el GOP tiene éxito rechazando la ampliación de Medicaid, y si el CHIP no es fondeado, casi 600 mil coloradeños perderán su cobertura.

“Tendrás impactos negativos significantes con la reducción, en los que la única elección para la gente será usar la sala de emergencias en el hospital. Y eso no sólo es malo para nuestra salud individual, sino también tendrá impactos muy negativos en el costo total de los cuidados.”

Brooks agrega que la incertidumbre en torno a esos fondos ya está causando problemas para reclutar y retener al personal, mantener el flujo de caja, y dice que también pone una pausa en ciertas compras de equipo y en proyectos imperativos de renovación.

La iniciativa CHIME (en inglés) puede ser consultada en: congress.gov.


get more stories like this via email

After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


get more stories like this via email

New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.