Pennsylvania’s health status

Pennsylvania has been ranked as the 27th healthiest state in the Country, according to America’s Health Rankings. Loosing some spots from its 24th position last year, the state, although relatively healthy (it’s in a middle position, as compared to all states in the country), could use some improvement. The state has been decreasing in the ranks for the past eight years now, and although still relatively healthy, it needs to focus on key factors to become a healthier place. In the past year, key issues like the increase in the prevalence of obesity (from 24.0% to 27.8% of the population), and the big public health funding cut (public health funding per capita was cut $20 this past year), are the reason of Pennsylvania health decrease.

Other challenges for the state include its high levels of air pollution at 15.3 micrograms of fine particulate per cubic meter, the increase in the incidence of infectious disease cases, the reduction of complete immunizations for children 19-35 months, and a high rate of preventable hospitalizations with 84.7 discharges per 1,000 Medicare enrollees. The premature death rate has also risen slightly as compared to last year’s value, which means that quality of life might be reducing in this state.

There are still good things to look upon in the state though, and things that can help overcome Pennsylvania’s negative tendency: the state has the country’s lowest geographical disparity within the state, with only 7.4%, a high rate of high school graduation (with 82.5% of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years), a very low rate of uninsured population at 9.8 percent, and ready access to primary care with 125.9 primary care physicians per 100,000 population.

Although funding is scarce in Pennsylvania, ready primary care access is good and efficient, with excellent percentages of primary care physicians per 100,000 population, and a low percentage of residents lacking Health Insurance coverage. Funding could potentially become an issue in the efficiency of the health care system, but so far, the system works well with the resources it has.

Pennsylvania health insurance information

In Pennsylvania, about 90.2% of the citizens have Health Insurance, which is an excellent coverage percentage despite the low government funding per capita that the state receives. This means that only 9.8% of the population in Pennsylvania has no Health Insurance, a percentage that has remained relatively stable within the past five years. The percentage of employers offering health insurance to employees is also good, with 61.5% percent of employers offering health Insurance plans, a percentage that has been lowering since 2003. 83.1% of workers take the Health Insurance plans offered by their employers.

Despite the low public health funding in Pennsylvania, the rate of primary care physicians for the population is very good, with 125.9 physicians per 100,000 population. Pennsylvania’s health care system, despite having a poor funding, seems to be accessible, although its efficiency has been lowering slightly over the past few years, probably due the limited funding. Nevertheless, what it’s done with the funding available is good. The percentage of the Pennsylvania population that could get medical care when needed is 90.2%. The patients served by FQHCs as a percent of population under 200% FPL stands at 14.3%.

If coverage has been denied for you, there are still some options you can check:

Best health plans in Pennsylvania (according to US News)

The prestigious US News ranks yearly the best Health Plans in the country, polling and evaluating consumer assessment, prevention, and treatment offered by all plans. They gather information and rank the results, nation-wide and state-wide, showing on their results the best plans available for Pennsylvania as well. The Rankings reflect results of consumer surveys and success in preventing and treating illness compared with average health plan.

Not only they rank Commercial Plans, they also rank Medicare or Medicaid plans, covering and evaluating as many plans as possible. If you want to browse their list of best-of, please go to the US News Health Plans Search site.

Get involved

If you are concerned about Pennsylvania’s health care issues and want to speak out, your safest bet is to contact your federal official, either via phone or fax. Postal Mail is not recommended, since it takes too long, and e-mail might not be seen. Also, make sure you communicate with the right Member of the Senate and/or Congress.

If you want more guidance and tips on how to contact and communicate with your representatives, there are various sites on the internet that can help on how to contact your elected officials.

Contact the White House PHONE: toll free 1-800-671-7887 (ask for the Comment Line) FAX: 1 202-456-2461 E-MAIL:comments@whitehouse.gov State officials: Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell 225 Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 PHONE: (717) 787-2500. Senator Robert Casey PHONE: 202-224-6324 (DC office) FAX: 202-228-0604 (DC office) Web Form: Contact Form Senator Arlen Specter PHONE: 202-224-4254 (DC office) FAX: 202-228-1229 (DC office) Web Form: Contact Form Official Pennsylvania health insurance information Pennsylvania Insurance Department The State of Pennsylvania’s department of insurance provides official information all types of insurance. Health Insurance Tips for Pennsylvania Consumers From the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Frequently-Asked-Questions about Health Insurance From the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. Children’s Health Insurance Program CHIP is Pennsylvania’s program intended to provide health insurance for children of working families who otherwise could not afford it.		Recent Oregon health insurance news Health Insurance is always a hot topic for discussion, since it involves the citizens of Oregon and their welfare. Here are some of the latest news and updates on the current issues and news related to Health and Health Insurance for Oregon: