Is Affordable Health Insurance just a Myth?
Health care costs in the United States have risen far faster than has the ability of the average American consumer to pay them. Unless you are fortunate enough to have an employer who still pays for your health insurance, you may have to pay as much as $500 a month in order to be covered in the event of a catastrophic illness. If you need a long stay in the hospital, you will be faced with thousands upon thousands of dollars in medical expenses; not including the cost of medications, which are also on the rise.
Despite government incentives in the form of tax breaks to promote affordable health insurance for small business employees in group plans, few employers have availed themselves of this option. It’s simply too expensive. Small business owners are already strapped and the tax breaks offered don’t measure up.
This has left consumers in a bad situation. If you have to pay for your own health insurance, this can often literally mean having to choose between food and health insurance. In this country, there really is no such thing as affordable health insurance. You may well have to declare bankruptcy if you have to pay for a medical emergency.
You might be able to qualify for affordable health insurance if your income is at or below the poverty line. In the majority of states, there are federally funded programs which cover medical treatment for catastrophic injury and illness. You can them get medical treatment which will at least save your life, but not those procedures which a person with full coverage would be entitled to receive. Premiums are charged, but are on a sliding scale. The amount of the premium depends on the size of your family and your income. While leaving something to be desired on terms of quality, these plans are as close as many can get to affordable health insurance.
There have been many cuts in federally funded health care under the current administration. Many services one considered essential have been dropped entirely or severely curtailed. In 2006, the federal government ordered state agencies to reduce costs, which they did by making relatively arbitrary cuts in medical services. Dental care, for instance was reduced to only emergency coverage. The administration also eliminated dental care for Vietnam veterans to care for Iraq war veterans instead. This has led to the disgraceful situation of Vietnam vets, their teeth damaged from Agent Orange, being forced to pull their own teeth with pliers! This is something which should shame us all as Americans.
With a new crop of candidates aspiring to the Presidency, affordable health insurance is a hot issue. This rich nation should address the issue of affordable health insurance with more than lip service. All of our citizens deserve decent health care without regard to income.
Filed under: Business