NMA perspective such as sickle cell anemia or asthma. If he did, I knew he would never be able to acquire health insurance. Can you imagine the pain and heartache this mother and son had to endure knowing that they had no health coverage? That mother could have been yours, your sister, aunt, cousin, best friend, niece, grandmother, etc. and that young man could have bright future, and could be a future Morehouse student. The health care system was too expensive and did not assist enough people. Something had to change. What was wrong with the old system? Here are some statistics for you to ponder: 1. 18,000 people die each year because they are uninsured. 2. One-out-of-five Black Americans have no health insurance. 3. One-out-of-three (36%) families living below the poverty line are uninsured. 4. The infant mortality rate for the U.S. is now higher than for many other industrialized countries. The rate is especially high for African Americans.
results guiding research and other benefits built in, she will get the best care possible. I know that her child will be covered even if he has a pre-existing condition. I know that the costs of their prescriptions will be lower. In a nutshell, I know that this hardworking African American woman who has made a lot of sacrifices and good choices in her life will not be victimized by our American health care system; that her good choices will translate into even greater health care for her and her child.
What are the consequences of being uninsured?
Providing basic affordable health care for all Americans is the right thing to do, because it levels the playing field and provides opportunities for all Americans to be productive citizens. In 1965, the National Medical Association supported the Medicare Law, and today we support the Affordable Care Act, because we believe in advocating for our patients. We are and will continue to be the people that stay on the right side of history, and we look forward to the day when the Affordable Care Act will fulfill its ultimate purpose to provide access to basic, affordable health care to every man, woman and child in the United States of America.
1. The uninsured are more likely to miss preventive and routine care for chronic and preventable illnesses. 2. The uninsured are the most frequently hospitalized for conditions that are potentially avoidable. 3. Communities pay a price for their uninsured residents. 4. The uninsured have more health expenses due to untreated health conditions.
What is the impact of the ACA on NMA Doctors? 1. More patients have insurance coverage. 2. Medicaid payments are approaching parity with Medicare payments, eliminating the two-tiered system, one for haves, one for have-nots. 3. Gives small business tax breaks—most NMA doctors are small businesses. 4. Provides training. 5. Emphasizes prevention.
ACA: A vision of a healthier future
How the Affordable Care Act will make a difference Let us go back to the mother and child I spoke about earlier. If she came into my office today, my worries about her would be fewer because I know she has a safety net. Now, she will have health insurance, with the flexibility and control to take her insurance with her anywhere she goes. I know that she can get screened for many of the most common illnesses for free. I know that with the emphasis on outcomes, on Match Guide 2013 | 21