To the editor: California’s Medi-Cal program covers roughly 14 million people, greater than one-third of the state’s inhabitants, at an annual value approaching $200 billion (“Medicaid reckoning awaits next California governor after program’s rapid expansion,” Oct. 9). Clearly, one thing should change.
One promising answer is surprisingly easy: Determine continual well being issues earlier than they turn out to be medical emergencies.
Think about hypertension. Practically half of American adults have high blood pressure, and plenty of don’t realize it. Left untreated, it might result in strokes, coronary heart assaults and expensive hospitalizations.
New smartphone-based applied sciences may also help determine folks in danger, encourage medical follow-up and information sufferers towards acceptable therapy and life-style adjustments. I work with one firm that focuses on early hypertension detection and therapy, CAREMINDr.
Why not make these instruments out there to Medi-Cal beneficiaries and encourage their use? Early detection, mixed with private duty {and professional} medical steering, might enhance well being whereas lowering avoidable healthcare prices.
Chuck Everett, Santa Monica
