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Study Finds Non-White Residents Lack Access and Die Earlier of Colorectal Cancer in Washington State
A study finds that Hispanic or Latinx, Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native residents, had
on average less access to screening services and died earlier from colorectal cancer compared
to white residents in Washington State, reports WSU Insider. The study looked at more than
7,000 residents who died of colorectal cancer between 2011 and 2018. More than twice as
many white residents lived within 6.2 miles of screening services compared to non-white
patients, and distance impacted the groups differently – while White residents died an average
of 1.6 years earlier if they lived far from services, non-white residents died 6.9 years earlier on
average if they lived far from services. These disparities compound to produce an eight-year life
expectancy gap between non-white residents who lived far from screening services and white
residents who lived closer.
Report Highlights Disparities in Health Care Outcomes for Native Americans in Washington State
A health system performance scorecard shows consistent health disparities for Native
Americans in Washington State compared to white residents, reports Oregon Public
Broadcasting. The report from The Commonwealth Fund found that American Indian/Alaska
Native people experienced the lowest health system performance in the state. A separate
regional dataset shows higher rates of death before 75 from preventable and treatable causes,
and higher rates of death from diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and opioid-related issues.
Nearly 20 percent of Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Washington lack supplemental
insurance beyond the Indian Health Service, which is chronically underfunded.
New Jersey To Erase $100M Of Medical Debt
New Jersey will forgive $100 million in medical debt for nearly 50,000 residents, reports
Healthcare Dive. This initiative will erase debts owed to Prime Healthcare hospitals and other
providers, alleviating financial strain on low-income residents. The state will erase debt from
nearly 18,000 New Jersey residents with outstanding medical bills from Prime Healthcare
hospitals, and another 32,000 New Jerseyans with debt owed to other providers through the
secondary debt market, largely collections agencies. Patients who qualify have incomes up to
four times the federal poverty level or have medical debts that equal 5 percent or more of their
annual income.
Poll: Missourians Concerned About Cost of Health Care
A recent poll by the Missouri Foundation for Health highlights widespread concern among
Missourians about health care costs, access, and substance abuse issues reports KRCU.
Sheldon Weisgrau, MFH vice president for health policy and advocacy, said the poll
underscores the critical importance of addressing health care affordability and highlights the
importance of encouraging elected officials to prioritize these concerns in policy decisions,
especially during this election year.
New Jersey To Erase $100M Of Medical Debt
New Jersey will forgive $100 million in medical debt for nearly 50,000 residents, reports
Healthcare Dive. This initiative will erase debts owed to Prime Healthcare hospitals and other
providers, alleviating financial strain on low-income residents. The state will erase debt from
nearly 18,000 New Jersey residents with outstanding medical bills from Prime Healthcare
hospitals, and another 32,000 New Jerseyans with debt owed to other providers through the
secondary debt market, largely collections agencies. Patients who qualify have incomes up to
four times the federal poverty level or have medical debts that equal 5 percent or more of their
annual income.
Despite Labor Growth In Oklahoma, Minorities Need Better Access To Care
Oklahoma's health care workforce has grown, but significant disparities in access to care persist
for minority communities, reports The Oklahoman. The Oklahoma State Department of Health
reported maternal mortality rates were almost twice as high for non-Hispanic Black women and
non-Hispanic Native American women in the state than white women, at 49.4 and 44.4
compared to 23.2 per 100,000 births, respectively. Efforts to address these disparities are
ongoing, with community leaders emphasizing the need for targeted health care improvements
in underserved areas.
Decrease Seen in Number of Uninsured Arkansans, But Disparities Exist Between Counties
The number of uninsured Arkansans decreased by nearly 25,000 from 2021 to 2022, however
significant disparities in uninsured rates exist across the state, according to ACHI. Arkansas
reduced its uninsured rate among nonelderly individuals from 18.8 percent in 2013, before the
major provisions of the Affordable Care Act took effect and Medicaid expansion coverage began
in the state, to 10 percent — slightly above the national average of 9.5 percent — in 2022;
county-level uninsured rates in Arkansas in 2022 ranged from 7.1 percent in Grant County to
15.5 percent in Sevier County. Not all Arkansas counties experienced declines in uninsured
rates between 2021 and 2022. Six counties — Baxter, Chicot, Craighead, Izard, Lee, and
Washington — saw increases, the largest being in Lee County, where the uninsured rate
increased by 16.1 percent.
Illinois Creates Equitable Health Outcomes Review Board to Address Disparities
Illinois has passed legislation creating a health equity review board to evaluate health outcomes
and identify disparities, reports WAND News. Starting January 1, 2025, the board will review
and reports data on illnesses, treatments, and causes of death by income, race, ethnicity,
sexual orientation, gender identity, and language.
Under New Law, MN Hospitals Face Fines If They Don’t Alert of Closures
Hospitals face new penalties if they fail to notify Minnesotans of closures or substantial changes
that can reduce local access to care, reports the Minnesota Star Tribune. Under the updated
law, Minnesota hospitals must now notify the public six months before closing or reducing
services or face fines up to $60,000. This law aims to protect local access to care, especially in
rural areas. Public hearings will be held to allow community input on hospital changes, although
the state cannot prevent the closures.
Cost Concerns Lead Many Latinos in Delaware to Struggle to Access Dental Care
Latinos in Delaware face significant barriers to accessing dental care, reports Delaware Online.
The obstacles are exacerbated by economic and immigration-related challenges. With over 36
percent of Hispanic adults in Delaware uninsured, regular preventative oral care is often out of
reach. The situation is particularly dire for undocumented residents, who are only eligible for
Medicaid in emergencies, further limiting their access to essential oral health services. Even
with dental insurance, health care deductibles and copays are costly, but the lack of coverage
leads to significant barriers to care for Latinos and immigrants.
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