Despite nearly 9 million gaining insurance since the Affordable Care Act, there are still 33 million people without health care. This if problematic for many reasons. Why does insurance matter? Why do people remain uninsured? How can those that are uninsured find affordable ways to get insured?

The Importance of Insurance

Not having insurance is more dangerous than you might imagine since several studies show that 20,000 to 45,000 Americans are dying each year due to lack of insurance. A decrease in economic productivity and poor health care coordination are also negative outcomes.

The problem does not arise from a lack of help. In fact, there are professionals available with extensive backgrounds in health information management programs available to guide individuals through the process of understanding what insurance plans are most beneficial, etc. It is clear that Americans are ready to help each other, but there seems to be a disconnection between the help and those who need it. 

The Uninsured

Many people are uninsured, and it usually boils down to a few key factors. One reason is because some people are unaware of how to get insurance. Others simply feel like they do not need insurance since they feel physically healthy. Perhaps, the single most common reason people remain uninsured is because they cannot financially afford it.

Assisting those that remain uninsured is a widely held debate throughout the country and government officials. The question of how much should be delegated on a federal basis versus through state authority has been widely discussed.

Insuring the Uninsured

According to kff.org, the majority of people under the age of 65 receive health insurance through their employer. Insurance programs like Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program are available for low-income families. Without insurance via an employer, most uninsured working families cannot afford to go through a private insurance company.

Due to increasing health care premiums, employers are not required to offer coverage to all employees. Whether progress comes from improving and tweaking the current system, increasing workplace coverage, expanding public coverage of programs like Medicaid, creating new insurance options, or coverage through the tax system, improved coverage must be assessed.

Insuring the uninsured and improving health care premiums are essential to avoiding a low federal poverty level within our country. Finding a career path that improves your chances of employer health care is a good place to start when qualifying for insurance benefits.