As climate change accelerates, healthcare providers face extreme weather threats, from hurricanes in Louisiana to wildfires in Wyoming. Over the last two decades, the Earth’s temperature surge has brought significant consequences.
Climate-related events are exacting a staggering toll. In 2012, the country suffered a $10 billion economic hit, 900 fatalities, 20,000 hospitalizations and 17,000 emergency room visits. The nation grapples with a doubling in the population afflicted by asthma and a surge in Lyme disease cases, now surpassing 300,000 patients.
Rising temperatures affect physical and mental health. A 1-degree increase in temperature over five years correlates with a 2 percent rise in mental health issues. Extreme heat poses serious health risks, from heat stroke to worsening chronic conditions.
The effects of climate change are unequal nationwide. Historical practices like redlining have concentrated low-income households in areas lacking essential green spaces, making them more vulnerable.
Homes without air conditioning or insulation increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and stroke. Black people are 52 percent more likely to live in high-risk areas, followed by non-Hispanic Asians (32 percent) and Hispanics (21 percent), compared to non-Hispanic Whites. These disparities worsen existing healthcare inequalities.
In 2023, the warmest year in modern history, students returned to stifling classrooms without adequate air conditioning. Extreme heat affects children’s ability to learn, affecting their mental well-being. Elevated temperatures trigger the body’s response to sweat, redirecting blood flow from vital organs to the skin, reducing oxygen levels in the brain, and hindering cognition and focus. Low-income students often live in disaster-prone areas, placing them at heightened risk.
According to a Government Accountability Office report, school districts receiving federal disaster recovery grants tend to have higher proportions of students from low-income families, students of color, or students with disabilities compared to the national average.
Oregon is leading the way in addressing climate-related health challenges. More than 20 states allocate substantial Medicaid funding toward housing assistance and nutritional support. Oregon’s pioneering move to allocate Medicaid funds for climate-related expenses marks a significant milestone. This initiative, part of Oregon’s comprehensive five-year, $1.1 billion effort to address social needs, demonstrates a holistic approach to healthcare that encompasses housing, nutrition and climate resilience.
Oregon’s experiment involves providing essential resources such as air conditioners, air purifiers and power banks to vulnerable residents, mitigating the effects of extreme heat and wildfire smoke.
Oregon’s recent expansion of Medicaid coverage to include climate change-related expenses for low-income patients is critical in addressing the evolving health effects of environmental challenges. As the Pacific Northwest grapples with prolonged heat waves and escalating wildfires, Oregon’s proactive approach ensures that vulnerable populations can access essential healthcare services amid changing climate conditions.
This forward-thinking initiative not only sets an example for other states but also emphasizes the importance of equitable access to care in combating the health effects of climate change. As climate change increasingly threatens public health, Medicaid must lead in implementing climate-resilient healthcare policies.
Oregon’s example demonstrates the benefits of using Medicaid funds to address climate-related health challenges, fostering healthier and more resilient communities.
Investments through Medicaid to address climate-related health risks can save money for individuals and the healthcare system. Proactive measures targeting hazards like heatwaves, air pollution and infectious diseases can reduce the need for expensive emergency treatments and hospital stays. This strategy eases Medicaid’s financial strain and improves healthcare system resilience.
Medicare and Medicaid must broaden their criteria for identifying vulnerable patients eligible for essential home cooling and air filtration systems. This should go beyond existing waivers and Medicare Advantage programs. Covering more low-income individuals at risk due to conditions like cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases, or living in urban heat islands or wildfire-prone areas, can significantly reduce heat-related illnesses. This approach can also reduce long-term healthcare costs by addressing climate-related health challenges.
As we confront the existential threat of climate change, it is crucial to capitalize on Medicaid’s vast resources and reach. By using Medicaid effectively, we can drive significant change to match our challenges. We must seize this opportunity and leverage Medicaid as a catalyst for transformative action, ensuring the preservation of planetary health and the prosperity of future generations. Coordinated efforts at state and federal levels can establish a robust framework for climate-resilient healthcare, contributing to a healthier, more equitable society prepared to face the challenges of a changing climate.