National Health Insurance Plan

What is Driving the Talk Among Americans About National Health Insurance Plan

As of 2004, 45 million people in the U.S. lacked health insurance. What is even more striking are these facts: In 2003, 20.6 million of the uninsured held jobs. Due to health care costs rising five times faster than the rate of inflation, employers are cutting back and employees are either left without coverage or expected to help cover premium increases. Employees with family plans have experienced an increase in premiums by 59% since 2000. Premiums are not the only thing to increase - deductibles are now rising to $1,000 and some people are satisfied with deductibles of $5,000 annually to get a premium on an individual plan that they can afford. The unemployed, employed and employers are struggling together to create a tremendous call for change in our country's health care system. Just for the record, the United States is the only developed nation without a national health insurance plan or what is known as universal coverage.

Current and Future Needs of Americans for National Health Insurance Plan

At present, one in seven Americans lack health insurance even though 80% of these individuals live in a working household. And it's not only the younger employed who are hurting - the Baby Boomers will soon be facing their own crisis if they don't start saving. An individual at age 55 in 2004 will need an estimated $150,000 to meet the gaps in Medicare coverage if he or she lives to be 80. Statistics like these help to explain why 62% of Americans believe the U.S. should adopt a national health insurance plan (universal coverage) according to ABC News poll of 2004.

What's the Debate in the National Health Insurance Plan

While most can agree it's time for an overhaul, few can agree on how to obtain it. Some fear an increase in taxes or reduction in quality of care. Insurance companies will evaporate and health care systems don't want more government regulation. Some people point to the long waiting lists in other countries with national health insurance but others argue that without insurance or private ability to pay, you can't even get on a waiting list in our current system. The discussion is heated and one thing is certain, it's not going to go away.

Health Insurance Nexus | US : The US Health Insurance Resource, conceptualized in Dec, 2004, is an online portal which provides up-to-date, pertinent information about health insurance in US.