Much of the discussion about the viability of welfare reform has focused upon job readiness, job placement and childcare. Often overlooked are both the physical and emotional health of welfare recipients. This paper examines the health characteristics of women receiving Medicaid benefits and how these are likely to impact welfare reform efforts. Data for this paper were collected through a representative household health survey of 10,161 adults in Southeastern Pennsylvania, having a concentration of the state's welfare recipients. The analysis focuses on women 18-64 residing in Philadelphia. Information was collected on physical health (overall health status, chronic conditions), emotional health (depression/stress, physical abuse, personal safety), and structural barriers to the receipt of health care (transportation, office hours). Welfare recipients were compared to women with private insurance and to the uninsured. One out of three women Medicaid recipients report themselves to be in fair/poor health and one third have at least one chronic condition requiring ongoing care. More than two out of five (44%) report a great deal of stress in their daily lives and 22% report being depressed at least two days in the past week. One out of eight (13%) was subject to physical violence in the past year and 15% stayed home in the past month because of safety concerns. The greatest structural barrier to the receipt of health care was lack of transportation (34%). The implications of these findings for job training and employment stability, as well as needed community-based health services, are discussed.
Learning Objectives: 1)Identify the health problems/needs of female medicaid recipients; 2) Relate the health problems of this population to welfare reform efforts; and 3) Help to develop policy responses to address the disjunction that is likely to arise between poor physical and emotional health and the demands of welfare reform
Keywords: Health Needs, Welfare Reform
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.