The Increasingly Decaying State of Health Care in America
The rising cost of health insurance has been putting an increasingly unsustainable burden on individuals and families.
Each year as premiums go up, employers are less able to contribute as much without putting a strain on the budget.
This is especially true of small and medium sized businesses, many of whom offer no contribution to health insurance premiums, forcing any employee who wants it to pay the full amount of their employer's "discounted" rate.
Since for smaller companies the premium can be well over $1,000 per month for family coverage, health insurance is out of reach for many middle class and virtually all lower class citizens.
Health care costs are rising faster than at any other time in their history.
In 2007, health insurance premiums increased 6.
1 percent, more than double the rate of inflation.
Just in the last few years, workers are paying over $1,400 more per year for family coverage today than they did in 2000.
The average annual cost for family coverage of health insurance hit $12,100 that same year.
Without an employer contribution, this put coverage out of reach for most families.
An inability to afford commercial health insurance drives many people to government programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and others.
According to the government, these social programs are putting a strain on federal budgets as spending on health care has increased substantially over the last several decades -- from five percent of GDP in 1964 to more than 16 percent by 2007.
A federal study has indicated that the burden on the economy is not sustainable.
Both major parties in the government have ideas for ways to solve the health care problems in America.
As you hit the polls to elect a new president or house representatives, be sure to take a good hard look at their policies and plans for health care.
There are many proposed solutions, and not all of them will improve the current situation.
Be aware, and be informed when you place your vote.
Each year as premiums go up, employers are less able to contribute as much without putting a strain on the budget.
This is especially true of small and medium sized businesses, many of whom offer no contribution to health insurance premiums, forcing any employee who wants it to pay the full amount of their employer's "discounted" rate.
Since for smaller companies the premium can be well over $1,000 per month for family coverage, health insurance is out of reach for many middle class and virtually all lower class citizens.
Health care costs are rising faster than at any other time in their history.
In 2007, health insurance premiums increased 6.
1 percent, more than double the rate of inflation.
Just in the last few years, workers are paying over $1,400 more per year for family coverage today than they did in 2000.
The average annual cost for family coverage of health insurance hit $12,100 that same year.
Without an employer contribution, this put coverage out of reach for most families.
An inability to afford commercial health insurance drives many people to government programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and others.
According to the government, these social programs are putting a strain on federal budgets as spending on health care has increased substantially over the last several decades -- from five percent of GDP in 1964 to more than 16 percent by 2007.
A federal study has indicated that the burden on the economy is not sustainable.
Both major parties in the government have ideas for ways to solve the health care problems in America.
As you hit the polls to elect a new president or house representatives, be sure to take a good hard look at their policies and plans for health care.
There are many proposed solutions, and not all of them will improve the current situation.
Be aware, and be informed when you place your vote.
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