Americans without health insurance rose to 12.2 percent last year, up from 10.9 percent at the end of 2016, according to new data the polling firm Gallup and digital health company Sharecare . This comes after several years of dramatic declines in the percentage of Americans who lack health insurance ― a direct result of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) coverage provisions. The uninsured rate rose by statistically significant margins in Iowa and 16 other states in 2017, marking the first time since the full implementation of the ACA in 2014 that any state had a rate increase.
Read MoreMore than 25 years ago, Congress created the 340B Drug Pricing Program to allow eligible hospitals and health systems to stretch limited resources and expand access to care for vulnerable patients. But despite a proven track record of increasing patient access to vital medical services and decreasing government spending, some want changes that would weaken the program.
Read MoreThe marked gains in health insurance coverage made since the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010 are beginning to reverse, according to new findings from the latest Commonwealth Fund ACA Tracking Survey. The coverage declines are likely the result of two major factors: 1) lack of federal legislative actions to improve specific weaknesses in the ACA and 2) actions by the current administration that have exacerbated those weaknesses.
Read MoreAs the only general surgeon in an Iowa Critical Access Hospital, Dr. Chad McCance shoulders a tremendous responsibility and he never fails to deliver. Even if he has to hike through a blizzard to get to the hospital (and he has!), he is always ready to serve his patients. Dr. McCance works with area surgeons from three different hospitals to ensure each community has surgery coverage at all times. In 2016, he was on call a total of 272 days.
Read More