CNN recently conducted a poll which showed that 32% of American's polled have cut back their spending on necessities like food and medicine.  This is very concerning to me. 

The problems with the economy are a viscous cycle.  From my point of view, I'm seeing many patients who can't afford to come see me because the copays are too high and they need the money for other things.  The decrease in patients coming to appointments hurts the hospitals bottom line and decreases the income for the hospital.  If patients aren't coming to appointments for doctors or other health professionals, they are getting sicker and sicker until they have to come to the hospital.  By the time they get here for an emergency, it costs the insurance companies and patients more money than it would have to begin with. 

This is a huge problem.  Our vision here at SVMC is to have the healthiest community in the nation.  As I see it, this is a pipe dream unless this economy improves or healthcare becomes somewhat affordable for most people.