The report documents the persistent problems experienced by communities of color attempting to access health care services across the nation. With a review of the latest research on health disparities, in-depth field research and comprehensive case studies, Closing the Gap reinvigorates the debate over what may be the nation’s greatest public health challenge – the persistent racial divide in access to comprehensive, quality health services.
2005 Northwest Health Gap Study
Between high wage earners who have comprehensive employer-based health benefits, and the low-income people who are covered through public health programs, lies a rapidly growing population with no coverage or inadequate coverage. These people are in the health gap.
Insure Idaho! The Private Health Insurance System is Failing Idaho’s Families and Small Businesses
More and more Idahoans have no health insurance. And more and more insured Idahoans are insured only on paper. The health insurance crisis has serious consequences for the physical well-being of Idahoans, for the financial security of families, and for the overall economic viability of the state.
The Best Medicine at the Best Price: Pooling Rx Purchases in Idaho
Prescription drug costs are rising rapidly across the nation and in all types of health care programs. To deal with these costs, many states have started negotiating lower prescription drug prices from the extremely profitable pharmaceutical companies – and they are already saving money. Larger volume purchasers can negotiate larger savings, so states are creating large purchasing pools. By using multi-agency and multi-state prescription drug purchasing pools and/or preferred drug lists, states have projected or realized savings of 5 to 15 percent of their total prescription drug costs.
Insuring an End to Idaho’s Health Care Crisis
Small businesses and individuals are struggling to keep up with increases in health insurance premiums. There is a widespread feeling that costs are rising, while quality declines. Idaho has a number of options for restoring accountability, transparency, and integrity in health insurance.
Insuring an End to Montana’s Health Care Crisis
Small businesses and individuals are struggling to keep up with increases in health insurance premiums. There is a widespread feeling that costs are rising, while quality declines. Montana has a number of options for restoring accountability, transparency, and integrity in health insurance.
The Best Medicine at the Best Price: Pooling Rx Purchases in Washington State
Prescription drug costs are rising rapidly across the nation and in all types of health care programs. To deal with these costs, many states have started negotiating lower prescription drug prices from the extremely profitable pharmaceutical companies – and they are already saving money. Larger volume purchasers can negotiate larger savings, so states are creating large purchasing pools. By using multi-agency and multi-state prescription drug purchasing pools and/or preferred drug lists, states have projected or realized savings of 5 to 15 percent of their total prescription drug costs.
Searching For Work That Pays: 2004 Northwest Job Gap Study
- Northwest Job Gap Study
- Idaho Job Gap Study
- Montana Job Gap Study
- Oregon Job Gap Study
- Washington Job Gap Study
The Northwest Job Gap Study calculates a basic family budget for different family structures. Based on this “living wage,” the study then estimates the number and proportion of job openings that provide a sufficient wage to support and individual or a family’s basic needs without relying on public assistance.
Hunger In South Dakota: And What State Leaders Can Do About It
Low-income families in South Dakota are struggling. They are struggling to find jobs that pay a living wage. They are struggling to pay rising utility, housing, and health care costs. And, they are struggling with the basic task of putting food on their tables. This study, the first of its kind, examines the food security of 403 poor and very poor South Dakota families. The participating households, most of whom are clients of Head Start and Native American, answered 33 questions about their food security and additional questions about their involvement with the Food Stamp Program. The study found that for many of these families food insecurity is not a short-term emergency, but a long-term continuing struggle.
Setting the Tone for Health Care Cuts: Governor Martz and Montana’s Public Health Care Redesign
In July 2003, Montana Governor Judy Martz appointed the state’s Public Health Care Advisory Council, kicking off a health care redesign process that could affect the health and well-being of all Montanans. The advisory council is working with the Montana Department of Health and Human Services on recommendations to the 2005 Legislature regarding Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Mental Health Services Plan. This report compares the rhetoric to the truth about publicly funded health care.