Health Insurance Introduction
Health insurance is a requirement for all citizens of the United States and helps to ensure that they receive the right treatment when they need it the most. The structure of the USA’s health insurance system is successful for a broad array of its more affluent residents, while many poorer people suffer significant financial burdens in order to maintain access to decent medical treatment. This section explores the issues and practicalities in depth, some of which are briefly introduced below.
Private Insurance
Health insurance in the United States is a huge industry, as the country is the one developed nation in the Western hemisphere that does not offer universal health insurance. Private insurance companies provide a significant majority of the coverage, with around 58% of American residents covered by private health insurance. A majority of these people receive this private health insurance through programs set up by their employer, while less than 10% are estimated to purchase their private insurance individually. Those receiving insurance through their job pay a percentage of the costs while the employer contributes the rest.
Public Insurance
Although private insurance is the norm, millions of Americans can neither afford to pay for insurance nor receive it through their job. There are certain public programs in place that seek to provide insurance coverage to some disadvantaged or marginalised groups. Families of low income must meet a number of requirements to qualify for insurance from Medicaid, a social welfare program that caters for the poor. Another program is Medicare, focusing on older workers and their families, the chronically disabled, and sufferers of renal disease. Other programs exist to help active and retired military personnel, and certain American Indians. Some of the States run their own low income programs.
Uninsured Americans
Currently over 45 million Americans do not qualify for public insurance programs and have no means of paying for private insurance. People in this category come from all age groups and comprise a broad spectrum of social and racial categories. However, the majority of uninsured Americans are young adults as their income is often lower than other age groups. Uninsured citizens end up owing large sums of money following medical treatment.
Healthcare Reform
The subject of substantial reform of the US health insurance system is fraught with strong views on both sides of the political divide. Broadly the discussion focuses on how far the state should provide healthcare for its citizens versus the amount of personal responsibility each citizen should take for their own lives. Quality of treatment and the efficacy of private and public insurance are also debated. President Barack Obama launched his effort for considerable reform in late 2009, concentrating on multiple matters including greater focus on quality of care, better accountability of insurance companies, and more affordable healthcare for the uninsured.