Health Insurance 101

The health insurance industry through its leaders, have begun to do studies and formulate ways by which individuals can easily obtain health insurance. Everybody knows that the current financial crunch in the US has people scrambling for all they can with their meager incomes. The problem, even middle class citizens cannot afford health insurance which makes it more difficult for them due to excessively high health costs. Without health insurance, many people are helpless against the ravages of disease and illnesses. The industry itself has initiated a move to make it easier, cheaper and even give access for those who have pre-existing conditions that used to have been denied coverage altogether.

The problem started when hospitals became big business, coupled with tie-up’s with more and more drug firms who give finances and equipment for research and development of new products, hospitals have become a very expensive business indeed. When the economy went on the rocks, these high-tech hospitals and all their expensive equipment had to do something or risk losing their edge over the next-door hospital so they raised prices. Prices that were so high, only a few could afford them. Even Medicaid was now being denied access to some of the most advanced and effective treatment centers in the whole US. They don’t support them due to the very expensive prices they charge so people seeking specialist care are left to pay out of their own pockets without insurance coverage.

The Bush administration has boosted the weak coverage of health care for children to new heights with new legislation. The revision of the insurance system for children makes health care for children better giving it more scope and lowering costs which is foreseen as a needed boost to the already troubled health care system in the US. The federal government hopes to infuse much needed cash into the weak children health care system increasing tobacco taxes once again to fuel the move. The State Children’s Insurance Program hoping to give those who are getting enough income to avail of Medicaid privileges but still cannot afford private insurance. The said improvement is targeted to affect at least 10million children in all US sates.

The questions industry leaders are asking has to do with the lack of comparison data or tangible studies which conclude the proposal as a viable one the federal government can handle. The Federal Reserve has already buffered the economy several times to avoid sending it into a spin that can affirm that recession is indeed in effect within the US. Politicians and public citizens alike would like to see results from studies that would confirm these proposals (which she has been making since they started campaigning) and which she has used as her main platform for the election process. Whether she wins or not, some opt not to hear anything about the matter, yet some wish these politicians can place their money where their mouths are.

Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton, proposes to set caps on the prices of premiums to enable more people to afford health care. This is raising questions and eyebrows with the current financial crisis in the US that has gas prices soaring, and people unable to pay for their mortgages. She proposes a cap of around 10 % of their income which has insurance industry experts worried for it would leave them vulnerable to the fluctuations in the financial markets. Major insurance firms have already started cancelling and informing clients of non-renewal of policies for homes and the move can affect the life insurance industry as well.

If improvement was minimal, it was still accessible compared to the number of Americans who cannot afford health care. This is a very nice success story for legislation that made a difference, pissing people off at first yet silencing their cries with better services and benefits. Tough legislation shows the resolve of public officials to maintain the competitiveness and authority of their offices who are left to decide for the general public. Many of their constituents even cried foul and vowed to send complaints and counter any moves that seeks support for the increased costs of health insurance but in the end, all parties involved got what they wanted

In the UK that is, where the health care system has received a re-make ahead of the financial crisis caused by the US sub-prime lending market. These reforms were abhorred by some and even hated by others when they were put in place but we continued on. Today, the extra money people had to pay for their health insurance has impacted for the better the health care system and even the School Department which had a budget deficit of around $6 million last year. Property taxes were spared much to the relief of homeowners and people are getting better healthcare options that before.

The crisis that exists in the financial market is being felt all over the world with markets tumbling and insurance costs rising to unprecedented heights. This has left most Americans without health insurance simply because they cannot afford it and worse, even they do not qualify for government funded healthcare insurance programs due to excessive financial burdens. There are currently 47 million people, 9 million of whom are children, do not have health insurance leaving them vulnerable when medical emergencies do strike. The problem is so extreme with Hispanics and African Americans who work in low paying jobs that barely gives them enough to survive. These people who float in between the free care criteria and the ability to purchase private insurance are left hanging, literally, without the necessary financial buffering given by health insurance.

The debate between the congressional committee and lawmakers continue to this date and there is no sure sign that the health care system would be getting any better soon. The Federal government (namely President Bush) has vetoed twice, proposals to raise government expenditure into health care by almost half increasing funds to almost $60 million dollars. This would allow the health care system to do more with those who cannot afford private insurance but a resolution is yet to be reached. The health care system is one of the strong points of Senator Clinton which she has pledged to overhaul since beginning campaigning for the upcoming elections. Senator McCain, also pledges to revamp the health care system and industry making it more competitive and affordable the ordinary American can afford to pay for one. Whoever wins might be left for tomorrow but the health care system is indeed in need of an overhaul to alleviate the millions of Americans who go day by day without proper healthcare.

The proposal by the federal government regarding health care for kids has received criticism from lawmakers as they face congress in hearings to debate the proposed laws. Lawmakers argue that under the federal government’s proposal, quite a number of children will get no health care due to their not qualifying for the new programs as defined. Lawmakers insist that the “Kids Must Come First” and that there should be no holds barred when kids are at risk. Health care should be available to all citizens of the United States and even the kids of those illegal immigrants. The key is to get their parents on the right track with more acceptable employment opportunities to allow them to pay for their own health care. The federal government has vetoed several attempts by lawmakers to increase the total budget for healthcare which would have provided much needed fuel to the slow health care system. The levels set by the federal government are unacceptable and even families who have twice the poverty level cannot afford private health care. The debate goes on as lawmakers fight their way to get people the healthcare they need when they need it.