| Healthcare in America: What Needs to be Done |
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| Written by Brenda Hillegas | ||||||
| Monday, 03 August 2009 | ||||||
 According to a survey done by the CDC in 2006, close to 44 million people in the United States do not have health care. Close to 20% of working age Americans (18-64) are without it. With the rising number of people unemployed in the United States, and other necessary costs (food, rent, bills), people overlook the importance of getting health care. The costs of just needing a check-up, getting a toothache examined, or paying for a vital prescription at a pharmacy could cost almost as much as your rent or car insurance if you don’t have health care. An ambulance ride alone could be close to $500. Sadly, even with most health care plans in the US, Americans are required to pay part of a doctor visit or a medication. To some people, that’s still something they cannot afford. It’s sad that elderly people who cannot work also cannot pay for the medication they need to keep them alive. America needs a health care plan that is affordable and accessible to every American. Now!
Some of America’s poor, elderly or disabled can receive benefits via programs such as Medicare or Medicaid. Children are protected by the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Sometimes, though, people are unable to qualify for such programs. These people still are often at a loss when it comes to affording coverage. There is an urgent need to create free or affordable insurance other than what is already provided through government assistance. As of now, there are many states that recognize the health care problem and they are already working toward an improved health care system. The federal government does back up and encourage each individual state’s effort to organize a plan to make insurance more affordable for all Americans. This can hopefully be done without interfering with the insurance that employers provide to their employees. Employees need to continue offering benefit packages to employees, but the government should allow additional packages and individual plans for Americans who want or need more than what their employees offer. At an affordable cost. President Obama is working toward a better system and has already addressed the problem. His solution is to reform the health care system by taking steps to expand coverage, improve quality, lower cost and honor patient choices when it comes to doctors and hospitals. He also promises to encourage the promotion of scientific and technological advancements in medical research. Obama believes that Americans have the ability to find cures for diseases that continue to claim too many lives and cause too much suffering in American each year. Lastly, he hopes to improve preventative care. Many people do not get check-ups unless they know something is wrong. If cancer screenings or other tests could be offered for free or be easily attained, diseases could be caught and treated early. If Obama’s plan is followed and each individual state can create and enforce a health care plan, more Americans will be able to get what they need to stay healthy. It seems so easy, and yet, not much has been done to change the way America health care systems run. If everyone could at least research affordable health care plans for themselves, or write to state representatives regarding the personal effects of health care, maybe someone will listen. We need to look after our health, and it shouldn’t cost us a fortune. Do your part and help make a stand for better healthcare in America. Write to your state representatives, the President, and even the media to express your desire for a better healthcare system for all Americans!
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 25 July 2009 ) | ||||||
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