ENG 285 Presentation

1. Discounted
Medicine &
Socioeconomic
Status
Simone Whitlock

2. Socioeconomic Status
Socioeconomic status is determined by a combination of
variables, including occupation, education, income, wealth,
and place of residence.
An individual or group is placed within social hierarchy
based on these variables.

3. Argument
Millions of Americans refuse to seek medical help, and take or
refill their medications because of the high costs, regardless if
they have health insurance or not.
Those with low income and a low socioeconomic status should
receive discounted prescription medicine.

4. Why does it matter?
● Healthcare in the U.S is one of the
highest
● About 20% of the population
cannot afford healthcare
● Causes a decline in the population
and overall public health.
● Beneficial to those without health
insurance
● Lower income communities are
more likely to have health issues
due to lack of resources and
funds:
○ Lower access to healthy food (ex:
fresh fruits and vegetables) 1:15
○ Lack of quality health care
● Lower income communities have
higher rates of chronic illnesses

5. Brownsville, NY
● Neighborhood located in
Brooklyn, NY
● Population of 84,525 (2018)
● Poverty rate of 40%
○ 33,810 in poverty
● Average salary: $26,951/year
○ $2,245.92/month
● 57% are rent burdened

6. Health Concerns in Brownsville, NY
Number of Uninsured: 15,178
Uninsured Rate: 14%
Adults without Needed Medical Care:
14%
= 86% in need of medical care
● Premature deaths: 70 years old
(NYC: 81)
● Elevated level of infant mortality
(death before 1st birthday)
○ Top 4th highest in all of NYC
● Leading causes of death:
○ Cardiovascular disease
○ Cancer
○ Diabetes
○ HIV
○ Homicide

7. Medical Expenses
Condition Average Cost (per patient)
Cardiovascular Disease - $18,953 per year
- $1,579.42 per month
-
Cancer - $12,000 yearly (with insurance)
- $703/month (median)
Cancer treatment ranges from $100,000-$400,000
yearly for one patient
Diabetes - Average $13,700-$16,750 per year
- $1,141.66-$1,395.83/month

8. Medical Expenses vs. Brownsville Residents
Average Cost of Chronic Illness
Treatment(s)
Brownsville Resident
- $15,392.66/year
- $1282.72/month
Average Salary: $26,951/year
- $2,245.92
Average Rent: 30% of salary
- $673.77 (NYC $2,700)
Average Medical: $15,392.64
- $1,282.72/month
=$289.43 left
“Others have found that cancer patients who declare bankruptcy have a 79% higher risk of dying
compared to those who don’t declare bankruptcy” (Forbes, 2017)

9. Financial Stressors
“Generally speaking, anyone who
devotes more than 10% of their
income to health care should be
considered underinsured”-
Weintraub, 2017
- On average, cancer patients
spend about 11% of their
household income on their
cancer treatment.
- Those who spend about 30% of
their income on treatment are
in the most financial distress.
Brownsville Resident:
Average Salary: $26,951
- 11%: $2,964.61
- 30%: $8,095.30

10. The Affordable Care Act (2010)
- More accessible and affordable healthcare and insurance
- Lower costs for households 100%-400% below poverty line
- Expand the Medicaid program to cover all adults with income below
138% of the federal poverty level.

11. Is the Affordable Care Act enough?
8% of adult Americans don’t take their medicines as prescribed because they can’t afford
them.
(26,160,000/327 million)
In a survey conducted by the NCHS:
34,557 participants
- 6% had private insurance
- 10% with Medicaid
- 14% with no insurance
- 14% with incomes below the federal poverty level

12. Influence on the Community
With Discounted Medicine
● Higher life expectancy
● Lower crime rates
● Increased population health of the
community
● Less financial strain
Without Discounted Medicine
● Life expectancy will remain, and
or consistently decline
● Crime rates will increase
● Decreases population health
● Increased rates of chronic
illnesses (cancer, diabetes, CVD)
● Individuals will continue to go
bankrupt trying to pay for
healthcare and medicine.

13. Factors to Consider
Who is eligible? Individuals living in poverty, with low
income, unemployed, and/or uninsured.
How would fraudulent distribution of
discounted medicine be avoided?
Those seeking discounted medicine must
show proof of address,
income/employment, unemployment.
How much of a discount should residents
receive?
All factors considered (residence,
dependents, insurance)
How will it be run? Government run: Patients can apply, and
receive benefits through hospitals,
clinics, pharmacies, and insurance
companies.

14. References
Affordable Care Act (ACA) - HealthCare.gov Glossary. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/affordable-care-act/.
Deaths and Cost. (2018, February 20). Retrieved from
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/deaths-cost.html.
Medical Care Costs Among Patients With Established Cardiovascular Disease. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.ajmc.com/journals/issue/2010/2010-03-vol16-n03/ajmc_10marnicholswebx_e86to93.
NCI Staff, NCI Staff, & Nci. (n.d.). Addressing Cancer Drug Costs and Value. Retrieved from
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2018/presidents-cancer-panel-drug-prices.
LeWine, H., & M.d. (2015, January 30). Millions of adults skip medications due to their high cost. Retrieved
from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/millions-skip-medications-due-to-their-high-cost-201501307673.
Weintraub, A. (2017, August 10). Even Insured Patients Are Overwhelmed By The Cost Of Cancer Care.
Retrieved from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/arleneweintraub/2017/08/10/even-insured-patients-are-overwhelmed-by-the-cost-
of-cancer-care/#375e65db51c4.
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/data/2018chp-bk16.pdf

15. Thank You! Questions?