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| Why we need health insurance? |
All of us, every one of us, have health insurance. We may not know we have health insurance until we get sick or injured. But if we get sick or injured and are not covered by insurance, we can lose out on the money we’ll need to recover or pay for the care we need.
It’s common for people who are insured to think of health insurance as a financial product. This could be part of the problem we have with U.S. health care policy. It’s easy to see health insurance as a commodity that patients are purchasing to ensure that they can receive care if they get sick or injured. But it’s just as easy
to see health insurance as a right – as a human right. And I believe that every American should have access to health insurance.
I was
uninsured for several years, from 1993 to 1998, because my husband and I
were poor, and we couldn’t afford health insurance. When we were on our
own again in 1999, we obtained private insurance, and it was essential
to my survival. If not for the coverage we had through private
insurance, I would likely have died from an undiagnosed, untreated
cancer that was eating away at my right breast and my liver. I wasn’t
just sick. I was dying.
Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA),
many low-income people in our country could not afford to buy health
insurance, either because they didn’t earn enough money to do so, or
because they didn’t qualify for any of the subsidized plans available in
some states or through some government programs. Coverage for these
Americans was extremely limited. And under the ACA, these Americans are
better protected, too: More people are eligible for these insurance
programs and more people are finding help purchasing insurance.
Poverty
is the greatest barrier to obtaining health insurance. Nearly 40% of
Americans live in households that do not have enough money to pay for a
month’s rent, food, or utilities, and many more are poor enough to
qualify for public assistance. According to the U.S. Census Bureau,
about 1 in 7 people live in poverty in the United States, or nearly 46.5
million people. Among children, nearly 18 million children – about 17%
of the total – live in poverty. And while the national poverty rate is
12%, about 20% of children live in poverty. So, it’s no wonder that so
many Americans are uninsured – or, if they are insured, that they don’t
receive the coverage they need.
Some of the people I saw in the
ER, suffering and dying, were there because they lacked the money to pay
for care. And sometimes, there is no one who will help them if they’re
without insurance.
When I was in the ER, the staff did everything
they could to help me and get me the care that I needed. But, I still
had to come up with the money. I was forced to go into debt to pay for
the cost of the care that I received.
It’s understandable that
the uninsured can get frustrated when they go to the emergency room and
they find themselves on a list. If you don’t pay for health insurance,
you can be assigned to the back of the line, even though your need is
urgent.
I don’t expect the government to cover my medical
expenses. But I would expect the government to help me pay for the care
that I need. Instead, our elected officials continue to make matters
worse by putting profits over people.
When I started making phone
calls to try to sign up for health insurance under the ACA, I quickly
learned that the enrollment period was being cut short, and the
insurance companies were taking advantage of that fact. I can only
imagine what it will be like in the future. They won’t have the excuse
that they had more time. They will be making money off people’s needs,
and because they can charge whatever they want, the uninsured will
continue to fall through the cracks.
I work at a soup kitchen
that serves more than 2,000 meals a day. Most people at the kitchen are
elderly and disabled. More than 300 people receive food stamps every
month. All of these people are struggling to survive and need help.
For
a while, we could at least point these people to the emergency room as a
last resort. But now the doctors are refusing to admit anyone who can’t
pay their bills. The money is there, it’s just hard to get to it.
The
United States of America needs to realize that we need to do better for
the millions of people who are living in poverty. We need to find a way
to help these people so that they can get the care that they need. We
need to start paying for the health care that we should already be
providing, and we need to do it soon.
Poverty has to be the
number one priority for the country. And we need to find a way to ensure
that the poor and vulnerable people who live in the United States are
able to get the care that they need, so that they don’t die or suffer
needlessly.
6 Reasons Why You Need To Get A Health Insurance
1. To fight lifestyle diseases
Lifestyle diseases are on the rise, especially among people under the age of 45. Illnesses like diabetes, obesity, respiratory problems, heart disease, all of which are prevalent among the older generation, are now rampant in younger people too. Some contributing factors that lead to these diseases include a sedentary lifestyle, stress, pollution, unhealthy eating habits, gadget addiction and undisciplined lives.
While following precautionary measures can help combat and manage these diseases, an unfortunate incident can be challenging to cope with, financially. Opting for Investing in a health plan that covers regular medical tests can help catch these illnesses early and make it easier to take care of medical expenses, leaving you with one less thing to worry about.
2. To safeguard your family
When scouting for an ideal health insurance plan, you can choose to secure your entire family under the same policy rather than buying separate policies. Consider your ageing parents, who are likely to be vulnerable to illnesses, as well as dependent children. Ensuring they get the best medical treatment, should anything happen to them, is something you would not have to stress about if you have a suitable health cover. Research thoroughly, talk to experts for an unbiased opinion and make sure you get a plan that provides all-round coverage.
3. To counter inadequate insurance cover
If you already have health insurance (for example, a policy provided by your employer) check exactly what it protects you against and how much coverage it offers. Chances are it will provide basic coverage. If your current policy does not provide cover against possible threats - such as diseases or illnesses that run in the family - it could prove insufficient in times of need. And with medical treatments advancing considerably, having a higher sum assured can ensure your every medical need is taken care of financially. But don't worry if you cannot afford a higher coverage plan right away. You can start low and gradually increase the cover.
4. To deal with medical inflation
As medical technology improves and diseases increase, the cost for treatment rises as well. And it is important to understand that medical expenses are not limited to only hospitals. The costs for doctor's consultation, diagnosis tests, ambulance charges, operation theatre costs, medicines, room rent, etc. are also continually increasing. All of these could put a considerable strain on your finances if you are not adequately prepared. By paying a relatively affordable health insurance premium each year, you can beat the burden of medical inflation while opting for quality treatment, without worrying about how much it will cost you.
5. To protect your savings
While an unforeseen illness can lead to mental anguish and stress, there is another side to dealing with health conditions that can leave you drained – the expenses. By buying a suitable health insurance policy, you can better manage your medical expenditure without dipping into your savings. In fact, some insurance providers offer cashless treatment, so you don't have to worry about reimbursements either. Your savings can be used for their intended plans, such as buying a home, your child's education and retirement. Additionally, health insurance lets you avail tax benefits, which further increases your savings.
6. Insure early to stay secured
Opting for a health insurance early in life has numerous benefits. Since you are young and healthier, you can avail plans at lower rates and the advantage will continue even as you grow older. Additionally, you will be offered more extensive coverage options. Most policies have a pre-existing waiting period which excludes coverage of pre-existing illnesses. This period will end while you are still young and healthy, thus giving you the advantage of exhaustive coverage that will prove useful if you fall ill later in life.
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