America’s health care system is quite different from that of other nations. For immigrants coming to the country, the system can be a bit daunting, especially when insurance is considered. The vast majority of immigrants arriving in the U.S. have little to no experience with insurance and have no idea where to start looking to obtain the best and most affordable coverage. This is a problem that the Cameroon American Council seeks to rectify by teaching immigrants about the importance of insurance coverage. Sylvie Bello is a Cameroonian immigrant who…
Read MoreTag: low income health insurance
The cost of health insurance for low income families
Although the Affordable Healthcare for America Act by the Obama administration was created in order to make certain that a larger number of Americans will have access to health insurance, many are finding that the premiums are still too costly to be able to afford them. The Act has already gone through some significant improvements since its first creation, especially in terms of Medicare, as it has assisted in lowering those costs. That said, many Americans are still struggling to afford their current health insurance rates or remain without any…
Read MoreSafety-net healthcare used regardless of reform in Massachusetts
A recent study has shown that the new healthcare reforms in Massachusetts have failed to decrease the pressure on providers for those in the lowest income brackets. Between the years of 2005 and 2009, the number of visits to community health centers rose by 31 percent, and public and charity hospitals also experienced a notable increase in their number of patients. Leader of the study, Leighton Ku, who is the head of the George Washington University Center for Health Policy Research, said that there are a number of things that…
Read MoreRecent study finds uninsured Americans not just in low income bracket anymore
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released a new report recently. The report highlights the existing financial problem inherent in the health care system for those unable to afford appropriate insurance coverage. The HHS found that uninsured families are only able to afford 12% of the total cost of hospital stays and medical services. While the findings may not be surprising when attributed to low-income families, the report specifically singled out high-income families, showing that medical costs may be getting out of hand. Of the country’s 50…
Read MoreNew Jersey: Government run health plan looking to close their doors
In New Jersey, hundreds of cities and school districts have saved a fortune by taking part in the state’s relatively unknown benefits program. For the past three years, an increasing number of people are dropping the insurance policies they bought from big name companies in favor of the state’s program. Some legislators are looking to change that by proposing a new bill that could severely inhibit the program. Stephen M. Sweeney, the State Senate president, is proposing legislation that would prohibit the state run insurance program from accepting new members.…
Read MoreHealth insurers required spending law or your check is in the mail!
A year has passed since the health care reform bill, the Affordable Care Act, was signed into law. Many used the opportunity to hold events that publicized the perceived “broken” promises of the law, but in Illinois, insurance officials are arguing that consumers are better off now than they were without it. The Illinois Insurance Department Director, Michael McRath, has said that in the next year some consumers will be receiving rebates as a result of the law’s requirements. “There is some disruption and definitely some discomfort among insurers,” says…
Read MoreNew health insurance survey reveals an alarming rate of uninsured Americans
A new health insurance survey shows that more than 9 million adults lost their health insurance coverage due to job loss in 2010. The Commonwealth Fund 2010 Biennial Health Insurance Survey, which was released Wednesday, estimates that 57% of people in the country become uninsured because of the recession. It paints a grim picture for millions of families reporting who have been stricken by job loss. The ailing economy had made it difficult to find work, particularly employment that offers benefits. Despite a recovering economic climate, families are still at…
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