Of the many brain-stumping issues in the health reform debate the one that seems to provoke the most visceral reaction from all sides seems to be: how to alter health care affordable. The past decade we've all been the victims of health premiums that increase at three times the pace of our salaries.. and everything else. We've noticed that the health plan just doesn't cover as much as it used to. And deductibles and co-pays are popping up where they weren't before. It's gotten so bad that more than 3,000 consumers from all over the state have submitted cards and keys with their health care stories to be delivered to the Governor's offices this week. But what are people actually spending? A helpful released last month by the UC Berkeley Labor bear on answers that challenge. Researchers crunched data from the national Medical Expenditure Panel Survey -- shows what people are spending on health compassionate. The numbers for some are bleak. A family of four earning the median income in California -- $74,801 -- who is moderately healthy and has regular health care expenses can expect to pay at most. 5 percent of their income on health coverage AND out-of-pocket costs if they undergo to go out on their own and buy health coverage on the change state merchandise (meaning they don't get it through work.) If you can get coverage from your job however they'll end up spending just 2 percent of their income. Pretty good deal. On the other hand if someone gets in a car accident or breaks an arm or is diagnosed with cancer or diabetes the numbers are much more overwhelming. Even with coverage on the job such a family could find themselves spending more than $6,000 to buy the coverage AND use the coverage. Those who undergo to go out and buy their insurance on their own would spend nearly $12,500 (16.7 percent of their income). As this from earlier this year shows the majority of Californians -- 60% -- have assets of less than $12,000 (excluding home equity). So that means they'd have to empty their savings liquidate their car their 401ks furniture to pay for one year's medical bills. That doesn't innoculate them from getting sick the following year either when there is nothing to sell off to pay the hospital bill. So as we continue debating what to do with AB8 health reform in California and nationally someone should take a look and listen to what consumers are actually spending and ask themselves is this right?
Forex Groups - Tips on Trading
Related article:
http://www.health-access.org/2007/10/humanely-affordable.htm
comments | Add comment | Report as Spam
|