Health Care
...ns without insurance predicted to grow, the National Academy of Sciences reports that, “13.6 million of the uninsured work for employers that do not offer health insurance. Individual purchased coverage may be prohibitively costly” (Number of Americans 3). Some individuals are forced to work multiple jobs. Most often, these are minimum wage employees. They lack company benefits and cannot afford the out of pocket cost for coverage. Two income families may also lack basic healthcare. The report also states that, “80 percent of uninsured children and adults under 65 live in working families. The uninsured population includes heads of families juggling several jobs to make ends meet. Families with two full time wage earners have a one in 10 chance of lacking coverage” (Number of Americans 3). The events of September 11, 2001 added thousands to the uninsured role with the lost of over 3,000 breadwinners and caregivers. A component of the healthcare debate is the disparity of care for minority and homeless populations. Large portions of minorities either lack or have limited restrictive benefits. In the article, Minorities receive lower-quality health care, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that, “ Among 15,578 people who sort care in an urban emergency room, blacks where 1.5 times more likely be denied authorization by their managed-care providers” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2). They are at a great disadvantage because they can suffer from illnesses particular to their race. They often receive low quality medication, testing, and other medical treatment. The report states that, “minorities are less likely than whites to receive appropriate heart medicine, undergo bypass surgery, or receive kidney dialysis or transplants. It found differences in receiving cancer treatment and said minorities are less likely to receive the newest treatment for AIDS” (Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2). It has been found that the low level of care is given whether there is health coverage or not. The homeless population presents it own unique circumstances. Most lack state healthcare coverage because they cannot meet eligibility requirements such as a legal address. Many have illnesses that require daily or regular care or medications. The mental ill is a major segment of this population. The cost of healthcare has risen to a level that is barely attainable by those covered under an employee plan. The article Number of Americans without health insurance predicted to grow states, “that with insurance cost rising, more employers and individuals may conclude that they are unable to afford coverage” (National Academy of Sciences 3). Even the retired population sometimes finds it necessa...