Wednesday, May 31, 2023

The Top-Rated Cardiology Hospitals in the Great Plains Region

In the most recent (22-23) U.S. News & World Report survey of American hospitals, 799 hospitals were scored on their proficiency in providing adult cardiology care, including heart surgery.  In this analysis, hospitals were graded on various metrics pertaining to their experience and outcomes with adult cardiology patients, the scope of their adult cardiology programs, and the degree of distinction a hospital has earned within the adult cardiology care community.  Among the top 50 rated U.S. hospitals for adult cardiology care in 22-23, five were based in the seven-state Great Plains region. This included the Mayo Clinic, the 2nd highest-rated cardiology hospital in the country. Here's a summary view of the top-rated cardiology hospitals in the Great Plains region and where they ranked nationally for adult cardiology care in the 22-23 survey:


The Top-Rated Cardiology Hospitals in the Great Plains Region

The Top-Rated Cardiology Hospitals in the Great Plains Region

Location:  Rochester, MN
National Rank:  #2 (See ranking details)

Location:  Kansas City, MO
National Rank:  #22 (See ranking details)

Location:  St. Cloud, MN
National Rank:  #30 (See ranking details)

Location:  St. Louis, MO
National Rank:  #39 (See ranking details)

Kansas City, KS
National Rank:  #47 (See ranking details)

For a further look at the metrics used to grade adult cardiology care and heart surgery hospitals in the 22-23 U.S. News survey, or to find the cardiology rating of other Great Plains region hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Adult Cardiology Care and Heart Surgery.

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Medicaid Child and CHIP Enrollment in the Great Lakes Region

Health insurance programs wholly or partially funded by federal and state tax dollars are an important source of health insurance coverage for children in the United States. The National Health Interview Survey (2022) estimated that close to 44% of children 0 to 17 years of age in the U.S. had publicly subsidized health insurance coverage. Publicly supported child health insurance coverage is provided through Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicare, state-sponsored or other government-sponsored health plans, and military health plans.  While several sources of public health insurance are available for children, the most substantial ones are Medicaid and CHIP.  Medicaid is the joint state-federal health insurance program for eligible individuals with limited income and resources, while CHIP is a joint state-federal effort to make available health insurance for children from families with low incomes, but incomes not low enough to qualify for Medicaid coverage.  As of January 2023, federal data indicated that there were almost 41.9 million children enrolled in Medicaid or separate CHIP programs.

That same January 2023 data reveals that the five-state Great Lakes region had over 5.5 million children enrolled in either Medicaid or separate CHIP programs.  Of the total Medicaid child and CHIP enrollment reported in January 2023 by 49 states and the District of Columbia, the Great Lakes region accounted for approximately 13.3% of the national total.  Here is a summary look at Medicaid child and CHIP enrollment in the Great Lakes region as of January 2023:

Medicaid Child and CHIP Enrollment in the Great Lakes Region

Medicaid Child and CHIP Enrollment in the Great Lakes Region

Area Name Enrollment % of U.S. Total
Illinois 1,568,138 3.8%
Indiana 880,928 2.1%
Michigan 1,128,233 2.7%
Ohio 1,355,606 3.2%
Wisconsin 643,479 1.5%
Region 5,576,384 13.3%
United States (1) 41,859,753 100.0%

(1) National figures are for the 49 states and the District of Columbia that reported child enrollment data for January 2023

Source: Medicaid.gov Enrollment Reports as of January 2023