The AAFP is again supporting Cover the Uninsured Week, April 27-May 3, to help highlight the need to provide solutions to problems faced by the millions of Americans living without health insurance.
AAFP Supports RWJ Initiative to Cover America's Uninsured
By Jessica Pupillo
4/9/2008
About 47 million Americans, including 9 million children, lack health insurance, according to Cover the Uninsured, a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This national effort aims to build and sustain broad-based support for creating "affordable and stable health care."
Family physicians are all too aware of the challenges patients face when they don't have health insurance, said AAFP President Jim King, M.D., of Selmer, Tenn. "Every day we go to our offices, we see people who don't have insurance. We need to make sure individuals are getting the right services at the right time by the right physician at the right place."
To guarantee reliable access to care in the United States, all patients require some sort of insurance, whether it's public or private, King added.
Mounting research continues to show that people with health insurance coverage receive better medical care than those who don't have health coverage. Just last month, the Agency on Healthcare Research and Quality's 2007 National Healthcare Disparities Report declared, "The factor most consistently related to better quality is whether a patient is insured."
Family physicians are encouraged to participate in activities related to Cover the Uninsured Week. Here are some ideas for participating in the campaign to "get America covered."
Family physicians are all too aware of the challenges patients face when they don't have health insurance, said AAFP President Jim King, M.D., of Selmer, Tenn. "Every day we go to our offices, we see people who don't have insurance. We need to make sure individuals are getting the right services at the right time by the right physician at the right place."
To guarantee reliable access to care in the United States, all patients require some sort of insurance, whether it's public or private, King added.
Mounting research continues to show that people with health insurance coverage receive better medical care than those who don't have health coverage. Just last month, the Agency on Healthcare Research and Quality's 2007 National Healthcare Disparities Report declared, "The factor most consistently related to better quality is whether a patient is insured."
Family physicians are encouraged to participate in activities related to Cover the Uninsured Week. Here are some ideas for participating in the campaign to "get America covered."
- Plan an event to support covering the uninsured. Events can include a community forum, health fair or seminar.
- Spread the word about low-cost and free health care coverage, including the State Children's Health Insurance Program, to those who may qualify.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
- Highlight your support of the week by placing a link or graphic on your Web site.
You can find resources for tackling any of these activities on the Cover the Uninsured project Web site.
April also is National Minority Health Month, and this year, the AAFP is focusing on preventive services for minority populations. More information and resources on diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and immunizations for members of ethnic and racial minority groups is available on AAFP's Minority Health Month Web page. Printable patient handouts and physician guides, as well as more information about health care disparities and cultural diversity, are available.
April also is National Minority Health Month, and this year, the AAFP is focusing on preventive services for minority populations. More information and resources on diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and immunizations for members of ethnic and racial minority groups is available on AAFP's Minority Health Month Web page. Printable patient handouts and physician guides, as well as more information about health care disparities and cultural diversity, are available.
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