Private Healthcare

Having good health is one of the most important things in life because without good health people are unable to do all the things that we take so much for granted. Some people have poor health right from being born and may spend most of their lives visiting doctors and the hospital. In England we are so lucky that the National Health Service makes it possible for everyone to get the medical care they need without having to worry about the cost. The National Health Service is funded by people who pay national insurance stamps while they are working which is deducted from their pay. Anyone needing to see a doctor or medical care in hospital does not have to pay. The same cannot be said for other countries where healthcare is usually covered by an insurance scheme.

In the United States most people are covered by an employers insurance which will cover the employee as well as their family. Sometimes when needing medical treatment the employee has to contribute towards the cost as the insurance does not cover the bill. There are many Americans that take out a private healthcare insurance if they are not covered by an employer. It can be very difficult for some people to be accepted for private insurance particularly if they have an existing medical condition or are over a certain age. Another reason for not taking out a private insurance is simply that people cannot afford to do so. 15% of American people do not have any healthcare insurance and delay seeking medical attention because of this. In some cases such as elderly people, disabled people, children from low-income families and war veterans they might be covered by Government programs. Charities sometime assist people with the cost of bills but there are an awful lot of people who do not qualify for help at all towards the cost of healthcare. Many working class Americans in low paid jobs will not be covered by their employer, cannot afford to take out a private insurance and are over the earnings limit to qualify for Government funding. People without any insurance may delay seeking treatment early and in some cases leave it too late. However, in emergency cases hospitals will always treat people but many of the emergency rooms are full of people who do not require immediate treatment.

One of the key issues for President Barack Obama is to reform healthcare in the United States. It has been a very long process finalising the details and there is a lot of opposition against it. Voting is not over yet has there are two more bills to be merged that have to be voted on. At present there is a vote of 60 to 39 in favour but the vote could easily turn the other way. If the President succeeds in getting this bill through it will mean that nearly every American will be covered by some form of insurance.

In the United States many people have to take out Private Healthcare insurance to enable them to pay the doctors costs should they fall ill.