​The Price of Healthcare in Low-Income Areas

By Camieka Amons
 
Since the mid-1940s, healthcare has become a major issue in impoverished communities. People think the most common problem with healthcare is implicit bias and healthcare avoidance and high healthcare costs. A study showed that, from 2008 to 2020, the percentage of Monroe County residents under 65 without health insurance declined by 4-9 percentage points in all the regional counties. The poorest areas in Rochester are 14605, 14608, 14611, 14613, and 14621 which are the regions with the worst health outcomes with cancer and heart disease being the leading causes of death in Monroe County. Many insurance companies don't always cover everything you need, and it leaves the patient to pay out-of-pocket costs including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
 
 My grandma is 70 years old, and she has many health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure. Her insurance doesn't cover the cost of certain medications like her blood pressure pills and some of her insulins. So, if she wants her medication, she will have to pay the remaining balance that her insurance didn't cover. Poverty blocks access to proper healthcare. Depending on what zip code you live in you can expect to live 3 more years or die 10 years sooner. If healthcare costs are reduced it would improve health outcomes with access to necessary medical services, people can receive timely treatment, and maintain better health outcomes. Health insurance is critical to families' and individuals’ access to care, financial security, and peace of mind. Those without insurance may delay getting needed care and forgo preventive care altogether, which can lead to medical problems that are more serious and expensive to treat. The 4 beneficial ways to fix and make healthcare more affordable would be cutting down the price of medications, expanding insurance to cover healthcare costs, extending telehealth services, and investing in mobile clinics. These changes could create lasting improvements for our most vulnerable communities.