Those who are struggling to make ends meet are least likely to obtain medical insurance and preventative care. In fact, Hispanics and African Americans make up a majority of the uninsured in the United States. Children under 18 and in poverty are also least likely to have health insurance. Not only are Hispanics leading in the uninsured sector, but there is also a direct correlation between legal citizenship and health insurance. If one is a legal U.S. citizen they are more likely to have health insurance compared to a non-citizen. The finances of an impoverished individual are already stretched thin and adding yet another bill to the existing mountain of debt seems like suicide. I imagine that if i were an impoverished individual i wouldn't even consider buying health insurance, simply because of the "more important things" that i would need to pay for. Not only are the impoverished getting the short end of the stick, but even if one is a part-time worker, he/she is still less likely to have health insurance than, say, a full-time worker.
Why?
The theory of poverty appears to be a never-ending domino effect. First you're barely making ends meet, then you're unable to pay to get your transmission fixed. You end up losing your job and you don't have a way to make money because you don't have transportation. You live in the suburbs and there isn't any public transportation and, on top of that, you have to have to move into the worst neighborhood in the county to get subsidized housing. You chose not to pay your health insurance provider anymore because it is too costly, but soon after you become violently ill because of inadequate sanitation at your apartment complex. You go to the emergency room, but because you don't have health insurance you get stuck with a huge bill. You have no way to pay the bills you have already yet you're expected to come up with the money somehow. Unfortunately, this person will not be making it out of poverty any time soon if this cycle continues.
For the past few months there has been tons of buzz about President Obama's health care reform bill. The bill is a huge revision of the health care system in effect today. Some of the notable changes to health care would be: everyone will be required to purchase health insurance by 2014 (there are some exceptions), Medicaid will be expanded to include childless adults, uninsured and the self-employed will be able to purchase insurance through state-based exchanges with subsidies available to individuals and families with incomes between 133 percent and 400 percent of poverty level, those within 100-400% of the federal poverty level who want to purchase their own insurance will be given subsidies to do so, and insurance companies will no longer be able to deny individuals coverage because of preexisting conditions.
I think the health care reform bill is a very important thing that needs to happen. It would make a huge impact on the lives of many who aren't able to receive the needed health care because they don't have health insurance. I know there are fears that the United States' health care system will get even worse, but how much worse can our health care system actually get?? I think most Americans believe that since we pay more for health care our system is so much better than that of, say Canada. The fact of the matter is that we are not number one in the world for "Best Health Care"; we're like in the 20s for life expectancy! I refuse to mention what number we are in overall health care (*cough* 37 *cough*)!! Anyways, I believe the health care bill would do more good than bad in the long run. Obama care is the way to go!
I do agree that getting under a pile of medical bills can create a negative pattern for the finances. But usually the taxpayer foots the bill for routine ER visits. It's a system with many flaws. I sure hope you're right about Obama care being a good thing for our messy, complex healthcare system.
ReplyDeleteI agree, with the never ending cylce. There is the old notion that we all should pull ourselves up by our boot straps, but i pose the question, what if you don't have bootstraps. This is the case for many immigrants migrating to this country. However, in complete fairness, do you think that they should be insured and never expected to pay any portion for the service. The American citizens that pay into employment taxes are paying for immigrants, who in many cases their parents and family have not paid into the system, yet they benefit. When you speak about fiances, yes the economy and SS system could get much worst. The situation could fall into a deficit that would cripple the economy.
ReplyDeleteCrystal Lazarus