News in brief - Nov. 10, 2008

Cutting back on care

More people now than in the spring are delaying or not filling prescriptions, skipping medical tests, or putting off medical care in general because of health care costs, according to the October Kaiser Health Tracking Poll.

For example, 36% of those surveyed said they delayed medical care they needed, up from 29% in the April poll. Similarly, 31% skipped a medical test or treatment, compared with 24% in April, and 27% didn't fill a prescription, up from 23%.

"Health care is now every bit as much an economic issue for the American people as job insecurity, mortgage payments and credit card debt," said Kaiser Family Foundation President and CEO Drew Altman, PhD.

The poll, conducted from Oct. 8-13, used a nationally representative random sample of 1,115 adults who say they are registered to vote. The poll results are available online (www.kff.org/kaiserpolls/h08_posr102108pkg.cfm).

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States may see more budget shortfalls

Fifteen states, mostly large and mid-sized ones, reported a median 5.9% decline in inflation-adjusted total tax revenue for July to September, compared with the same period last year, according to a review by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released Oct. 27.

The last time state revenues fell this sharply was in early 2002 in the previous recession, the report said.

The decline increases the likelihood that more states will experience budget gaps, the review noted, which could lead to cuts affecting health programs such as Medicaid.

The state revenue analysis can be found online (www.cbpp.org/10-24-08sfp.htm).

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Calif. high court leaves medical marijuana statute intact

The California Supreme Court let stand a state law allowing seriously ill patients access to medical marijuana with a physician's recommendation.

The high court on Oct. 16 declined to review an appeals court ruling upholding the 1996 law, which shields qualified patients who use cannabis from criminal prosecution. San Bernardino and San Diego County officials challenged the statute, saying it conflicted with federal law outlawing the drug. But appeals court judges in a July opinion said federal regulation was intended to combat recreational use.

The counties are considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

California is one of 12 states that have legalized medical marijuana use, according to the Marijuana Policy Project, which supports such measures.

The California Medical Assn. does not have a position on the state law.

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