Health Care In the United States from a Social Justice Perspective

1. Dr. Brian Christenson, LMSW, CAP Associate Professor Lewis-Clark State College Social Work Program & Boise State University MSW Program, North Idaho Health Care In the United States from a Social Justice Perspective

2. Social Justice Perspectives as Social Workers & Social Justice Advocates • Social Justice Defined • NASW Pre-Amble • Basic Human Needs

3. Health Care Statistics in the U.S. Today • “In 2007, nearly 50 million Americans did not have health care coverage, while another 25 million were underinsured” “The number of people who are underinsured has grown 60 percent to 25 million over the past four years” (Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey, 2007). • “The highest rate of underinsurance is in families with incomes under the poverty level (about $20,000, at 31 percent” (Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey, 2007). • “Approximately 50 percent of personal bankruptcies are due to medical expenses” (Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey, 2007). • “The United States is the only industrialized nation that does not provide some form of universal health care to it’s citizens, and they have one of the highest rates for health care expenditures” (Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey, 2007). • Prescription drugs (under patent protection), cost 35%-55% higher than in any other country in the world.(Healthcare Problems.Org, 2012). Original citation source: (Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey, 2007). • A recent Harvard medical study links lack of insurance to 45,000 U.S. Deaths a year, one every twelve minutes (New York Times, 2009, as cited from the Harvard Medical Insurance study published in the December issue of the Journal of Public Health, 2009).

4. National Association of Social Workers “Key” Policy Statements Pertaining to Healthcare Coverage from a Social Justice Perspective • NASW supports… • “A national health care policy that ensures the right to universal access to a continuum of health and mental health care throughout all stages of the life cycle.” • “Efforts to increase health care coverage to uninsured and underinsured people until universal health and mental health coverage is achieved.” • “Active participation of social workers on public and private health care policy and planning bodies”. • “Policies and practices that ensure that patients receive necessary and appropriate care and guarantee patient rights protections.” (National Association of Social Workers, Social Work Speaks, Health Care Policy Statement, 2008).