EDITORIAL: Fight for better medical, mental health services

Jan. 21--Monroe County's hard-working social and health care workers face a greater challenge according to a new local study indicating higher substance abuse and mental illness rates.

East Stroudsburg University researchers reported higher incidences of adult smokers (24 percent), adult excessive drinkers (23 percent) and an upward trend in mental health issues over the past four years here. The county also continues to face a shortage of primary care doctors, making it harder for people with chronic conditions to get the diagnosis and care they need.

ESU's College of Health Science conducted a community needs assessment on behalf of Pocono Medical Center, comparing Monroe data with numbers from five similar-size counties in neighboring New Jersey, New York and Ohio. Researchers backed up the data with surveys of more than 500 residents and health care workers. The study clearly shows how residents need renewed and accelerated emphasis on community health efforts, from stop-smoking programs to better access to mental health care.

A rising need for mental health and substance use treatment accompanied the Great Recession. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania's ever-tighter state budgets made funding harder and harder to get. Finding the fiscal resources needed to address serious social and community problems is not likely to be easier even under a new, enthusiastic governor. Tom Wolf is a Democrat, while Republicans control both the state House and Senate. All the more reason for those on the front line of delivering needed care to lobby for elected officials to put their constituents before party.

At the same time, Pocono Medical Center is competing for survival here in a wide-open market as other regional hospitals make inroads. Attracting new primary care doctors would be a plus in PMC's efforts and go a long way toward helping meet local residents' medical needs, and would be especially helpful to those on Medicare or Medicaid.

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