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Is Affordable Health Insurance just a Myth?

The cost of health care in the U.S. has gotten completely out of hand. The average American can no longer afford health insurance coverage; so unless you have one of the ever shrinking number of employers who do pay for health insurance, you may have to spend as much as $500 a month just to be covered in the event of catastrophic illness or injury. If a long hospital stay is required, you could be looking at many thousands of dollars in medical bills, not to mention the incredibly high cost of medications.
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.
As a result, it is the American citizenry who are left in the lurch. Having to pay for one's own health insurance can mean having to choose between food and insurance coverage. There is almost no such thing as affordable health insurance in this country anymore. If you have a serious medical situation, you might have to declare bankruptcy as a result.
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.
Affordable health insurance is something which many of us are thinking about, particularly with a Presidential election almost upon us. This is a rich nation; there is no reason we cannot provide health care for every citizen. All Americans must demand that government stop paying lip service to this important national issue and give the health care to every American, regardless of income that they deserve.

Article Source: http://articles.yournetguru.com

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