Short Term Health Insurance Options

Few will argue that the present state of our economy is by any means good. With elevated levels of those unemployed, coupled with stagnant wages, many households are finding it extremely difficult to pay ordinary bills. Employers, also feeling the pinch from consumer belt tightening, and also facing challenges in remaining profitable. Unfortunately, many of these businesses are finding that they have no choice but to reduce or eliminate the health insurance benefits they provide to their employees.

Employees, who once relied heavily on employer sponsored health insurance, now are confronted with the stark reality that businesses can no longer afford to pay monthly premiums. In fact, recent statistics indicate that just under 45% of employed workers are covered by an employer sponsored medical insurance plan. Where then are these people obtaining their coverage from?

Sadly, many employees that cannot get or afford health insurance through their employer are simply forgoing coverage altogether. These people, which are gainfully employed, do make up a significant percentage of the growing uninsured population. At the present time, just over 17% of the adult population lacks medical insurance. Many economists are predicting that the uninsured population will continue to grow as the world copes with its deepest recession since the Great Depression.

Those that are unable to obtain medical insurance through their employer do have options. Many states across the country do offer assistance to those without coverage. Some of the state assistance programs allow people to temporarily enroll in Medicare, while others offer direct financial aid to qualified enrollees. Individuals which do not qualify for government assistance also have the option of purchasing a short term health insurance policy.

Insured vs Uninsured - The Segregation of American Health Care

Everyone, at some time in his or her life, will need to seek medical care. The American health care system is a billion dollar industry, and it discards people that can't afford its services. The current health care system is divided into two groups--health care for the insured and no health care or limited care for the uninsured. The kind of medical and personal care that an individual receives under the current American health care system depends on the person's insurance status. In the land of equal opportunity, segregation is still practiced.

It is a well known fact that people that have health insurance receive much better medical and personal treatment from health care providers than people that don't have health insurance. The insured are treated with dignity and respect. Sadly, the uninsured are treated with indifference and disdain. For uninsured people, obtaining health care can be an extremely demoralizing and frustrating experience.