Short Term Realities: Long Term Effects

Although I want to, I will try not to get engaged in a bunch of politics. Let’s focus on the disastrous effect that the economy is having on healthcare in the country.

According to a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation:

• 1 in 4 Americans put off needed health care in the past year because of cost including 16% who postponed surgery of a doctor’s visit for a chronic condition.
• 53% said they cut back on health care in some way.
  • Over the counter medications
  • Self-diagnosis
  • Skipped the dentist
  • Postponed a test
  • Didn’t fill a prescription
• 15% split their pills or skipped doses of medication.

This is scary. Maybe this is what the $600B is for over the next 10 years in the budget since I thought reforming healthcare was going to save money.

In another report, it talks about people sleeping less due to stress over their financial situation.

Another report I saw talked about how cheap foods like McDonalds were seeing huge growth while fresh vegetables and fruits were more expensive.