Having good health makes such a difference to peoples’ lives and what we are able to do. For many people however poor health prevents them from doing so many things that we all take so much for granted. In England we all take for granted that should we need any kind of medical care it is available free of charge. We can visit a doctor or be admitted to hospital without the worry of having to pay for treatment. This is because the National Health Service, which is funded by people in work paying National Health Insurance stamps, provides medical care for everyone regardless of age, disability or personal circumstances. In other countries, this is not the case, and people usually have to be covered by insurance to meet the costs should they fall ill and need medical care.
America is no exception and people are usually covered by insurance which their employer negotiates for the employee and their family. Other people might take out a private insurance to meet medical costs. Problems arise when people cannot afford to take out a private insurance or cannot get an insurance company to cover them because of an existing medical condition or because they are too old. In America 15% of the population have no insurance and cannot afford to see a doctor for treatment. Many delay getting medical attention for injuries or problems such as blood pressure and diabetes. People may delay seeking medical advice because of the cost and sometimes it may be too late for treatment. Many working class Americans in low paid jobs will not be covered by insurance from their employers, not be able to afford to take out a private insurance but still be earning too much money to qualify for Government funded programs where people can get medical care. These Government funded programs usually cover residents of 65 or older, children from low-income homes, the disabled and veterans returning from war. Charity care may be available in some cases and hospitals will always treat emergency cases. Many of the hospital emergency rooms become full with non-emergency cases and problems arise with long waiting times. Often ambulances have to transport people elsewhere to reduce queuing.
President Barack Obama is hoping to get a bill passed that will reform healthcare in America. If he succeeds most Americans will have to have health insurance and no private insurers will be able to refuse cover because someone already has an existing medical condition. This bill would lead to millions who are not insured for healthcare having funding to cover the costs should they need medical care.
Because so many American people are uninsured healthcare system problems arise and thousands of unnecessary deaths occur because people cannot afford to seek medical treatment.