As US Senate leaders have been debating and discussing the proposed changes to the country’s health insurance system, a new health care bill may soon finally be signed into legislation. While many Americans are eagerly awaiting health care insurance reform, others are worried that the changes in policy will lead to a loss in their own current insurance coverage and protection. To find out who benefits-the insured or the uninsured-take a look at the latest health insurance reform reports.
United States Health Insurance Reform
The Un-Insured
Without a doubt, the millions of individuals across the country who are living without health insurance coverage will be the most likely to gain the greatest benefits from health insurance reform. According to reports, individuals who are un-insured will be provided with insurance options and changes such as:
- Access to more affordable insurance policies for workers without employer provided coverage.
- Lower cost packages for individuals below the age of 26, as individuals 25 and younger are less likely to carry insurance. Packages for Americans 26 and younger will be cheaper with fewer coverage benefits
- Options to purchase health insurance from state-run exchange programs
- With state-run plans, individuals can opt for customized insurance packages, some of which will even offer minimal coverage levels at reduced costs (for reduced benefits)
- Tax credits provided to the lowest income earners to help struggling families purchase their own insurance coverage (from a private provider or from the state)
- For example, as Senate reports reveal, a family of 4 below an annual income of $22,000 would be protected from paying more than 2 percent of its annual income towards insurance premium costs / insurance related costs
- The protection on insurance cost limits for families increases exponentially, depending on a family’s size and annual earnings; however, the Senate declares that a family of 4 with an income of a maximum of $88,000 annually would be protected from spending no more than 12 percent of their income on health insurance related costs
The Insured
While individuals without health insurance will certainly be able to gain protection and advantages from the proposed health reform plans, many individuals who currently carry insurance policies are worried about how these plans will impact their own tax costs, insurance rates, and coverage details. Generally, experts assert that individuals with insurance can rest assured, as the proposed changes to the health insurance system should not force serious changes to those who are currently insured. Specifically, reports reveal:
- Individuals with insurance will be able to, in the majority of cases, simply keep their current plans (especially if coverage is already provided by one’s employer)
- Insured individuals may become more protected, as reform is striving to protect workers from being dropped by insurance companies when a policy holder becomes ill or needs high-cost treatments / medical care
- Insurance companies would be restricted in determining individual health histories to factor an insurance policy’s costs (ie: a history of diabetes could not significantly boost an individual’s health insurance costs)
