Cheers to American Mommas!

The New York Times today reports on a recent CDC survey that says 77 percent of America’s mommies are nursing their babies. This rate is up 17 percent from 1994, and the report goes on to mention that this is an “all-time high.”

This is fantastic news!

Each year, the CDC conducts its National Immunization Survey (NIS), on which breastfeeding questions are asked to assess the population’s breastfeeding practices, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As a mother of three breast-babies, I can testify that there is no greater challenge or sacrifice in those first weeks with baby than learning — and teaching baby — the art of breastfeeding. It’s taxing, it’s challenging, it’s thoroughly exhausting, it makes you so hungry you could eat several large beasts in one sitting, and it hurts ... and did I mention that it is tiring?

But it is also the most beautiful thing that I have ever accomplished in my life.

The NYT report goes on to say that the number of babies still breastfed at 6 months and older are still below the national goal (I could weigh in on why this number is low, but that’s a whole ’nother post ...).

If you are a new mom or a mom-to-be and would like some help in learning to breastfeed, ask your physician or midwife who he/she recommends, and be sure to share your eagerness to learn with your nursing staff at the hospital or birthing center where you deliver. Lactation consultants are onhand to teach and help you.

Postpartum, be sure to look into your local La Leche League. In addition, your local Women, Infants and Children (WIC) office offers breastfeeding services. In fact, I have a friend who does this very job — and she, to me, is one of America’s few heroes. Well, her and the rest of my lactating colleagues.

Keep up the great work ladies!! (... and pass the Lansinoh.)

For more information, visit the CDC’s breastfeeding page here.

More for patients to worry about ...

According to a press release issued last week by CIGNA HealthCare, the insurance giant will stop reimbursing hospitals for so-called “never events” and other avoidable hospital conditions that are noted as errors in patient care. These “never events” would encircle something along the lines of a foreign object (like a surgical sponge, for example) being left inside a patient following a surgical procedure.

Anyone who has been keeping up with CMS’ (the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) lead to do this — citing such reasons as “patient safety” and “improving healthcare quality” — knew it was only a matter of time before all of the major managed care organizations would follow suit. Both CIGNA’s policy and CMS’ will become effective on Oct. 1.

So who will pay for these never events?

The intention here is to “punish” — if you will — the healthcare facility owner for its error. Is this actually what will happen? Or will the hospitals eventually begin coming after the patients for this cost? I suspect the later.

Or, perhaps the taxpayer will eventually be the one to take the hit? Or wait. Isn’t the taxpayer already paying for it and that’s why CMS says no more?

When you are able to shake that confusion away, you can check out CIGNA’s note on the topic in this press release: “CIGNA's policy is designed to avoid member liability for any payment denials to participating facilities.”

But I still feel woozy about this. Not that I don’t buy that CIGNA really is attempting to look out for its members, I just mean that things like this have to get absorbed somewhere. And that sponge doesn’t often get absorbed by the abdominal wall.

Good intentions or not, the pessimist in me screams “watch out!” What’s your take on the matter?

Giving the Gift of … Healthcare?

It’s all the rage this year and probably will continue to be in years to come: a gift card to help cover health-related expenses. From doctor visits to filling prescriptions, the Healthcare Visa® Gift Card from givewell.com is picking up lots of attention — and tabs!

I’ll tell you, as a mother of three, with Nana (my mom) living with us and G-Mo (my mother-in-law) one block away, this would be the perfect gift for our brood. I am often convinced that our family keeps the healthcare sect alive. No joke, here’s an actual account of my healthcare spending over a recent four-week period (Nov. 19-Dec. 17):

-$40 urgent care visit (strep throat)

-$100 co-pay for an ER visit (an asthma attack)

-$110 (total) in prescriptions (regular monthly “maintenance” drugs and one antibiotic)

-$25 doctor visit (just a follow-up)

-$38.40 co-pay for a CT scan (of a child’s sinus cavity)

-$80 ENT visit (for two children)

-$40 hematology appointment (a CBC and regular check-up)

Yep, $433.40, and this is just for the children; no grandma-related expenses are included in this list.

I always like to add that these charges are after the nearly $400/month deduction from my paychecks for health insurance premiums.

How does the average family make it these days?

With generous gifts such as these, I guess!

According to the company Web site, this gift card can be used for, “co-pays at doctor’s and pharmacies; dental care, including braces and teeth whitening; vision care, including eye exams and prescription sunglasses; memberships at health clubs, and elective procedures including Lasik and cosmetic surgery.”

The gift-giver can put anywhere from $25 to $5,000 on the card. Best of all, the card can help its recipient keep track of medical-related spending for tax purposes.

So let me ask, what — short of letting your child wither to near nothingness — do you do to help contain the cost of healthcare for your family? I need some usable ideas!

In the meantime, here’s to a happy and healthy 2008! Happy New Year, everyone …