Solving the Mystery of Patient Abuse and Neglect
Care and Safety for the Vulnerable Population During the Depression
Jun 29, 2009
Although the number of lobbyists for Medicare and Medicaid issues has steadily increased slightly since 2004, one must question how this increase correlates to the increase in reported patient abuse and neglect cases. Why the needs of patients not being addressed? Think meds.
More specifically, Pharmaceuticals & Health Products industry could explain the double-edged sword challenge of the correlation. According to the Open Secrets database, the introduction of John McCain’s Greater Access to Affordable Pharmaceuticals Act of 2003 (Bill S.54) helped health insurers, drug companies and other health care industry professionals.
Passing of the bill would expedite the entry of generic drug manufacturers into the market and allow Canadian import-manufacturers access to consumers. At face value, the government seemed to be interested in assisting citizens in getting cheaper, generic drugs – thereby reducing prescription drug costs. In truth, the bill merely served as an instrument to debate then current Medicare standards and a reason for large pharmaceutical oligopolies to spend over $155 million within six months fighting against its passing. This data can be found on the Public Integrity website.
After 10 years of fighting monopoly wallets (a whooping $650 million in lobbyist dollars by 2008) in the pharmaceutical industry, Congress realized it could no longer contend with cold cash. As a result, consumers received the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 (Part D) which gave recipients the option to make a co-payment of $1 for existing, low-cost generic drugs or pay a $3 co-payment for brand name drugs. Definitely advantages, right? No. Unfortunately, Medicare recipients would not be able to “benefit” from the Act for three years, approximately the amount of time it would take an individual earning 150% below the poverty level to pay the $3,600 out-of-pocket limit.
Fast-forward to 2008: the addition of Medicare’s Part D benefits theoretically equates to more patients in the vulnerable population accessing better healthcare which includes quality facilities and trained caregivers. Theoretically. Yet the correlation between an increase in options and improved benefits for low – income Medicare recipients and the increase in patient abuse and neglect cases remain a mystery.
Patient Abuse and Neglect Realities in a Depressed Economy
Statewide Ohio hospitals and nursing homes are feeling the pain of the budget cut ax. The Jewish Family Services Association (JFSA), which provides services to people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, depends on federal reimbursement for 70% of its budget. JFSA expects vulnerable population members will inevitably return to institutionalized settings as a result of the current economic crisis.
Eric Spencer, executive director of NAMI-Georgia (National Alliance on Mental Illness – Georgia) paints a solution to the mystery with a broad brush by stating, “The problem, of course, is that legislators historically have been reluctant to spend money on a state service that most of their constituents do not deem a priority”.
Passing of the Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act of 2007 amendment requires state nursing home providers and long -term care facilities to conduct nationwide background screening on all applicants as part of the pre-employment process. Unfortunately Congress has minimized the urgency for this type of safeguard for the vulnerable population. Background checks will become mandatory January 1, 2011.
Solving the Mystery of Patient Abuse and Neglect
Clearly there are issues working in tandem that contribute to patient abuse and neglect. From a patient-caregiver perspective, poor quality within patient care systems can be attributed to low employee wages, lack of background checks, and non-compliant facilities. It seems unlikely this problem will decrease without effective nationwide monitoring systems.
On a higher level, legislators do not collectively advocate for the protection and care of patients. Instead, lobbying seems to be geared in favor of industries that can provide quality medication and other healthcare products only for those who can afford to pay or are adequately insured. Those who can afford to pay do not include Medicare and Medicaid recipients.
Finally, federal government turns a blind eye to the urgent need to address the issue of patient abuse and neglect. While the vulnerable population continues to wait for solutions, Congress and executive level cabinet members require them to wait even longer. Meanwhile, profit-turning industries attempt to recoup lobbying dollars with prescription drug and health product sales. Waiting, coupled with an economic depression, will surely magnify the societal issue of patient abuse and neglect.
Fortunately, there are national resources which provide a glimmer of hope for patients. The Patient Advocate Foundation offers information about co – pay relief, African – American outreach, clinical trials, and senior services. Remarkably, the foundation also offers Medicare resources which include information about coverage, resolution disputes and medication assistance programs.
