Tag Archives: Affordable Care Act

When You Can’t Afford the Care You Need

What happens to the people who are falling through the holes in our safety net

In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. ~ Aristotle Today, the term “terminal illness” is something of a misnomer for many once fatal illnesses. While it’s true that many people with life-limiting illnesses like … Continue reading

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America’s Healthcare System Favors the Rich, Study Shows

A British medical journal blames America’s for-profit healthcare system for a 15-year gap in longevity

In a blistering indictment of the American healthcare system, the British Medical Journal Lancet published a study in April that looked at income inequality in relation to the nation’s health. The results showed that the wealthiest Americans live a full … Continue reading

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After the Death Panel Controversy, Physicians Struggle with End-of-Life Care

New medical codes could help patients plan their healthcare

An anesthesiologist described a chaotic scene in his hospital. Years ago, an elderly woman was rushed to the operating room with bowel trauma, septic shock and multi-system organ failure. The anesthesiologist, surgeon and nursing staff didn’t expect her to survive. … Continue reading

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America’s Life Expectancy Is Lowest in 20 Years

Americans are dying younger today, and nobody is sure why

Life expectancy in the United States dropped for the first time in nearly two decades in 2015, according to a recent report from the National Center for Health Statistics. The decrease followed a several-year stretch in which the nation’s life … Continue reading

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Here They Talk About Death

How choosing their end-of-life care helped residents of La Crosse reduce their healthcare costs

While healthcare costs are among the top concerns for an average American, the small city of La Crosse, Wisconsin spends less on the end-of-life care than any other place in the country. Saving money was not the main goal for … Continue reading

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