Health Insurance Gets Personal, But Will It Get Affordable?January 2008
As the health care debate heats up alongside the run for The White House in 2008, each candidate seems to have their own personal story regarding the importance of
health insurance in their lives. But, will this necessarily mean that more affordable insurance is on the way?
Most people know that John Edwards' wife has been battling a recent recurrence of breast cancer. But recently, the tragic death of Nataline Sarkisyan - a 17-year-old girl who died while awaiting a liver transplant that was originally denied by Cigna - has become another health care battle flag for Edwards. He proposes a universal plan that would cover all Americans, and that he would hope to implement right away, should he be nominated to the White House.
On the other side of the political divide, cancer survivors John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, and Fred Thompson all have personal stories to share regarding the importance of health insurance in this country.
But will any of them make real changes?
It's hard to say. The American health insurance situation is complicated, a balancing act between the need to foster economic growth and prevent nationwide financial downturns, and the desire to offer
health care to all citizens. Throw in rising rates of obesity and an over-reliance on expensive medications, and you've got a problem that's going to take time to straighten out.
At the same time, most legislators aren't in the same boat as the 47 million Americans who can't afford health insurance, and the millions more who are under-insured and just don't know it (yet). It's easier to focus on financial security over universal health care when your own health insurance is locked in.
Facts on:
Health Care 2008
Did you know...
A recent poll conducted by the Council for Affordable Health Insurance reveals that the majority of Americans want more health insurance choices?
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Still, the loud cries of the people have finally gathered quite a bit of attention in the last year, and even state leaders like Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger are moving towards a different health insurance plan for citizens.
So, perhaps 2008 will be the year of change for our health care system. In the mean time, fall is a long way off, and those seeking medical coverage should keep in mind that a plan that covers yearly checkups is most likely to prevent the kinds of illnesses that are most expensive, and easier to prevent early on.
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