Major cities across the country have seen an increase in health care needs, but the particular problems vary from location to location, according to a recent survey by Families USA. The health care consumer advocacy group asked the mayors of 13 cities about health care concerns in their communities. Most responses, like Charleston’s, came from the mayor’s social service liaison.
Eleven city leaders said that health care should be in the top three priorities for the next president. All said that increasing the eligibility for Medicaid and state programs for uninsured children would help address needs. Question: Which of the following has your city observed over the past year as a result of people lacking health insurance?
|
Increased Demand for Safety Net Clinics
|
Crowding in Hospitals and Hospital Emergency Departments
|
Increased Demand for Mental Health Services
|
Increased Demand for Substance Abuse Treatment
|
Increased Demand for Family Support Services
|
Problems Affecting Children in the City’s Schools
|
Area Hospital Closings
|
|
| Albuquerque |
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
| Boston* |
•
|
•
|
|||||
| Charleston |
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
|||
| Columbus |
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
|
| Houston |
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
||
| Minneapolis |
•
|
||||||
| Newark |
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
| Oakland |
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
|||
| Providence |
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
|
| San Francisco |
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
||
| Seattle |
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
||
| Tucson |
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
|
| Washington D.C. |
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|
•
|