ANDERSON — The average price for a 100-pill bottle of Tylenol pain reliever is about $7.50.

For some people, that’s pocket change. For those working a minimum-wage job, that’s more than an hour’s worth of work. 

But for those who are under the poverty line, that may be impossible.

Given the state of the nation’s economy, it’s no wonder that some people in need are forced to make difficult decisions about their health care.

Why would someone with minor pain or cold symptoms give up a day’s worth of work to visit the doctor, knowing that the refrigerator’s nearly empty and an eviction notice may be only days away?

According to Jon Nelson, men’s program assistant at Christian Center Rescue Ministries in Anderson, the decision is easy — they wouldn’t.

“A lot of people in need are in circumstances that tend to make them shortsighted when it comes to their health,” said Nelson.

Local hospitals are seeing the effects of people bypassing preventative health care.

“People put off going to the doctor for so long that the emergency room has practically become their family doctor,” said Terri Rinker, director of reimbursement cycle at Community Hospital.

Uninsured on the rise at local hospitals

The number of uninsured patients the hospital is receiving is on the rise. Rinker said that in June 2007, about 7 percent of patients were uninsured. By June 2008, the number had increased to about 10 percent.

But when living expenses and medical expenses compete for limited resources, how can struggling Madison County residents afford health care?

According to Rinker, the Healthy Indiana Plan is one option for those in a financial bind. HIP is a health-insurance program targeted at uninsured adult Indiana residents.

The program offers benefits that include mental-health care, physician services, diagnostic exams, hospital services and disease management. Certain qualifications, including age, income and a lack of access to employer-sponsored health insurance programs, must be met.

Since HIP began last year, more than 1,500 Madison County residents have been accepted into the program. Statewide, about 49,000 people are enrolled.