Friday, July 28, 2017

More help, not more stuff; Medicaid director's husband doesn't accept it; aiding local women and children in crisis

Posted By on Fri, Jul 28, 2017 at 12:17 PM

click to enlarge More help, not more stuff; Medicaid director's husband doesn't accept it; aiding local women and children in crisis
Dr. Seema Verna, right, the top U.S. official overseeing Medicaid, doesn't have to look for to find a doctor who won't accept Medicaid payments — her husband, Dr. Sanjay Mishra, left, a child psychiatrist in Indiana.

Help wanted

More stuff doesn’t seem to make people happier. But buying time just might. A Harvard study found that “paying to delegate household chores like cleaning and cooking is linked to greater life satisfaction.”

Read more about local families embracing the concept of fewer material possessions, and finding greater life satisfaction in the process.


Kids struggling
The current director of Medicaid, Seema Verma, has up-close knowledge of health care since her husband is a doctor. A child psychiatrist in Carmel, Indiana, Dr. Sanjay Mishra’s practice treats plenty of patients, just not any who are receiving Medicaid. Some kids in his hometown in need of help have had to travel long distances to find a provider willing to accept Medicaid payment.

Nationwide, there’s a shortage of mental health care providers, particularly for children, and a substantial percentage of them turn down Medicaid patients, saying reimbursement is too low, leading to long wait times and lengthy travel for children who are already suffering, according to Kaiser Health News.

“It would be better if Seema Verma’s husband were to accept Medicaid, not just for the appearance of supporting the program his wife oversees, but to increase access by one more provider,” said Paul Gionfriddo, CEO of Mental Health America, an advocacy group.

Read more about the shortage of mental health providers for children in the Inland Northwest in InHealth.


Win-win!

Drop off some much-appreciated toiletries and hygiene items at the Helping Hands Fundraiser at North Church Spokane, 8303 N. Division, on Saturday from 8:30 am to 4 pm. The items are destined for the Union Gospel Mission Women’s and Children’s Crisis Shelter. Bonus! There’s a yard sale, raffle, and more than 40 vendor booths for some fun shopping while you’re there.

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Anne McGregor

Anne McGregor is a contributor to the Inlander and the editor of InHealth. She is married to Inlander editor/publisher Ted S. McGregor, Jr.