James Breedin cannot keep track of how often he has admitted to Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC, for heart problems. “It has been so much,” said 75-year-old disabled Breedin, truck driver.
One reason for his frequent return, he said, is that he often cannot afford the medicines that determine physician to keep heart problems in check, “So I had to do without.” And though the doctor recommended physical activity regularly-lifestyle changes that can cut the chances he will find himself in hospital again–he says he fears exercise outside because of the violent environment.
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Hospitals serving the poorest Medicare patients is nearly three times as likely as others to be substantially high readmission rates for heart failure, the analysis found. In the hospital–which includes Howard in the District of Columbia, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore and New York Presbyterian Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, both in New York City-people who are low income consists of a large part of the patient than they did in the 80 percent of the hospital.