Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar


Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives


Previous Post: CEJA Will Transition Our Power Sector Completely Away From Dirty Fossil Fuels By 2030, Protecting Public Health, Workers, and Our Children’s Future
Next Post: A quick look at CPS’ governing history

Today’s must-read

Posted in:

* Derek Cantù at NPR Illinois...

Black and Brown Illinoisans in long-term care facilities died of COVID-19 at comparatively higher rates compared to white Illinoisians in the first few months of the pandemic.

That comes from a new study released last week by the state’s Department of Healthcare and Family Services. HFS told a panel of lawmakers about the disproportionate number of deaths for minority nursing home residents a day after Governor J-B Pritzker signed an expansive law last week meant to address racial inequities in healthcare. […]

According to data collected by HFS between March and July of 2020, 60% of COVID-related deaths of nursing home residents on Medicaid occured at facilities where at least 10% of residents lived in rooms with three plus people. […]

When comparing mortality rates across different demographics, the department’s analysis found Black and Latino Medicaid residents were 40% more likely to die of COVID during the first few months of the pandemic compared to white Medicaid residents.

HFS Deputy Director for Strategic Planning and Analytics Andy Allison said one of the reasons for the disproportionate mortality rates was the stronger likelihood that Black and Brown nursing home residents live in facilities that are both overcrowded and understaffed. […]

The department proposed the state fund an incentive proposal that would reward facilities based on required reports they submit to the federal government documenting both a commitment to increase staff sizes and the types of direct patient care staff members offer to residents.

There’s just way too much to excerpt, so click here and read it all.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 5, 21 @ 1:17 pm

Comments

  1. Again I’m interested in how much of the racial difference is just that Black and Hispanic people are more likely to live in urban areas (Chicago). The article has HFS saying that overcrowding mainly happens in Chicago but is a problem statewide, so I’d like to know if you adjusted for population density of the area around the home, what would the mortality rates be? If more Black and brown folks are still dying even after that adjustment, suggesting other ways that inequality is having an effect, that would be good to know.

    Comment by Perrid Wednesday, May 5, 21 @ 1:48 pm

  2. =Black and Brown Illinoisans in long-term care facilities died of COVID-19 at comparatively higher rates…

    the department’s analysis found Black and Latino Medicaid residents were 40% more likely to die of COVID during the first few months of the pandemic compared to white Medicaid residents=

    These findings in particular must be unacceptable. It implicates our state’s public and private sector care delivery systems equally. Our elders must not differ along the lines of race, when it comes to accessing essential, life-saving care. To allow it is a profoundly moral question.

    Comment by H-W Wednesday, May 5, 21 @ 2:27 pm

Add a comment

Sorry, comments are closed at this time.

Previous Post: CEJA Will Transition Our Power Sector Completely Away From Dirty Fossil Fuels By 2030, Protecting Public Health, Workers, and Our Children’s Future
Next Post: A quick look at CPS’ governing history


Last 10 posts:

more Posts (Archives)

WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.

powered by WordPress.