MEDICARE DEATH RATES DROP – AND SO DO COSTS
East County News Service July 28, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows dramatic improvements in the care and safety of Medicare patients. Across the nation, the death rate among Medicare patients fell 16% from 1999 to 2013. In addition, hospitalizations dropped sharply – and costs also fell sharply. The study’s author, Harlan Krumholz, a cardiologist and professor at Yale School of Medicine, calls the results “jaw dropping,” USA Today reports. Researchers looked at records of over 68 million Medicare patients age 65 and older. The study also examined hospitalization rates and costs for Medicare’s “fee for service” program in which doctors and hospitals get paid for every procedure or visit. That accounts for 71% of the entire Medicare program. Hospitalizations of fee-for-service patients dropped 24% from 1999 to 2013—and patients who were hospitalized were 45% less likely to die in the hospital in 2013 than back in 1999. Moreover, costs for hospitalized fee-for-service patients were reduced 15%. So what accounts for these huge improvements in the U.S. healthcare system? Back in 1999, an Institute of Medicine report found hospital errors killed up to 98,000 patients a year, sparking reform efforts. Since then, hospitals have been working to improve safety. In addition, the Affordable Care Act requires hospitals to report adverse outcomes and hospitals with dismal records can incur financial penalties. Improved treatments and medications for conditions such as cancer and heart disease likely play a role, along with improvements in public health, such as a reduction in smoking and cleaner air. Dr. Krumholz, the study’s author, has voiced surprise to find such dramatic improvements in patient mortality rates, hospitalizations and costs in such a short time.
EMERGENCY CENTER OPENS IN RAMONA
July 28, 2015 (Ramona) – If you suffered damage from flooding, mudslides and heavy rain during the storm July 18 and 19, the County has set up a Local Assistance Center at the Ramona Library, located at 1275 Main Street in Ramona. It will remain open through August 1st to provide recovery information for residents and business owners in need of help. San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, toured the damaged area in Ramona last week and was present for the center’s opening. She said, “My heart goes out to all of the people who suffered loss. This is all about helping them.” The county is offering a variety of information and resources at the temporary center, which will include: • Assistance with building permits and plan checks • Information on debris removal, road cleanup and where to get sandbags • Information on how to repair damaged septic systems • Information on what to do with household hazardous waste • Information on erosion control and watershed protection • Crisis counseling information and support • Insurance advocate assistance • Assistance with motor vehicle registration and licensing • Information to protect yourself from contracting scams • How to apply for CalFresh (food stamps) and other assistance State, county and nonprofit organizations include: • 211 San Diego • Community Recovery Team • The Salvation Army • Department of Motor Vehicles • American Red Cross • County of San Diego Aging and Independence Services • County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services • County of San Diego Planning and Development Services • County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency Community Resource Center • County of San Diego Department of Public Works • County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health • County of San Diego Assessor Recorder County Clerk • Contractors State License Board • Department of Insurance The center will be open through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Childcare is available onsite. More than 210 residents and business owners reported to the county that they sustained damage as a result of the storm, which was fueled by remnants of Hurricane Delores. Residents with property damage may complete a brief damage survey at www.sdcountyrecovery.com. The survey is not a claim, and will be passed along to the Small Business Administration, which could potentially offer low-interest loans to residents and business owners who are uninsured or underinsured and sustained damage. In order to offer the loans, the SBA requires at least 25 homes or businesses in the county to have sustained rain or flood damage that amounts to at least 40 percent of the fair market value of their underinsured or uninsured property prior to the damage. For information and resources, visit www.sdcountyrecovery.com.