KFF Health News' 'What the Health?'
Episode 10: Hurricane Harvey And Health Costs
Aug 31, 2017
Joanne Kenen, a health policy reporter at Politico, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times, and Dr. Elisabeth Rosenthal, author and former NYT editor-in-chief, dive into the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. They discuss the severe disruption to Houston's healthcare infrastructure, including damaged research facilities. Insights on the health risks from flooding, like pollution and mold, highlight the disaster's long-term effects. The conversation also covers bipartisan relief funding and the complexities of rising healthcare costs, giving listeners a deeper understanding of the intertwined nature of disaster response and health policy.
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Quick takeaways
- Hurricane Harvey's devastation has severely impacted Houston's healthcare infrastructure, complicating access to essential medical services for vulnerable populations.
- Political debates surrounding disaster relief funding in Congress could affect both immediate recovery efforts and long-term healthcare infrastructure investments.
Deep dives
Impact of Hurricane Harvey on Medical Infrastructure
The destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey has significantly disrupted the medical infrastructure in Houston, the nation's fourth-largest city. Hospitals have faced flooding, and while some facilities have implemented protective measures to mitigate damage, the recovery process remains complex and prolonged. Many medical professionals have been displaced due to personal property damage, which complicates patient access to care. The long-term repercussions for patients relying on ongoing treatments, like dialysis or chemotherapy, are concerning, as reaching healthcare services could take months.
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