Most of the uninsured American workers claim that the high cost of insurance is the main reason they fail to take cover. The inability to afford insurance is the problem that many workers have faced in the past. The 2008 recession led to many Americans to lose their coverage through their jobs. This situation increased the already rising number of uninsured people (in the previous decade) to 40 million. Although Medicaid and CHIP strove to control the highly rising rates of insurance, it was not until the Affordable Care Act (ACA) went into effect that many low-income Americans and African Americans gained explicitly by becoming eligible for insurance.
Depending on the states, adult eligibility to access insurance coverage through their jobs is limited in most of the states. These states failed to expand their programs to accommodate many low-income earners. According to the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured analysis of the 2000-2012 National Health Interview Surveys, more adults than children (especially in low-income working families) are uninsured. Moreover, the report indicated that more African Americans and Hispanics are at higher risk of remaining uninsured than whites.
The limited public coverage to poor families increases the chances of the uninsured people to lack medical care due to the high costs. The report suggests that these people are likely to lack preventive health care and services for especially chronic diseases. This condition puts them at risk of succumbing to otherwise treatable diseases. The survey further revealed that 40% of uninsured adults admitted to owing outstanding debts in medical bills that strained their finances.
The Obama-Care's mission
The famous Affordable Care Act (ACA) strives to expand public coverage to as many people as possible through the initiation of Health Insurance Marketplaces and the amendment of Medicaid policy to accommodate more Americans who were not originally eligible. With a more stable economy, the ACA seeks to enable people to maintain their coverage and also avail affordable private insurance to more people. Since its enactment, the ACA has enabled at least 10 million people (mainly children) to access medical insurance. The coverage expansions to accommodate elderly people and children is a promising step in achieving health-care. For instance, with preventive care available, the cost of treatment is cut consequently saving further costs.
With more people accessing insurance and consequently, treatment for chronic diseases, a healthy nation is inevitable. A healthy workforce will boost the economy that will in turn support the afford-ability of health care
Work Cited
Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured analysis of the 2000-2012 National Health Interview Surveys.
