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We know that a lack of quality health insurance for all Americans has lead to an imbalance in treatment and diagnosis for big diseases like cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

But how about dengue fever? Or, perhaps schistosomiasis?

These are exotic diseases found in far-away places like Africa, Asia and South America. But, thanks to a lack of adequate health insurance, they're fast becoming a problem here.

The LA Times reports that "In the Los Angeles area, a pork tapeworm infection called cysticercosis which spreads in crowded, unsanitary conditions, accounts for 10% of seizures resulting in emergency room visits." And 24 exotic diseases known as "neglected infections of poverty" have infected between 300,000 and millions of Americans.

The article cites doctors who suggest that the problem isn't that we don't have the ability to screen for and treat these diseases, but that "reporting is another issue."

But in order for diseases such as these to be properly treated and controlled, people need health care. And, people who can't afford health insurance are already at a disadvantage in this arena. Too often the poor live in conditions that facilitate sickness, and lack the funds to get treatments when they do get sick.

This is why something needs to be done to make access to health insurance affordable. Until we do so, diseases with complicated names like "brucellosis" will continue to effect people who could be protected by routine tests and treatment.