subject: Is The Rise In Unemployment Linked To The Rise In Individuals Without Medical Coverage? [print this page] In the past few years we have begun to see an increase in the unemployment rate, in the United States, thus bringing forth many medical coverage issues for these unemployed individuals as well. Not only do they now find themselves without a steady income, they are also responsible to purchase medical insurance on the limited budget that they have. This leave many Americans with no other choice then to forgo medical coverage and hope for the best.
Although those that are unemployed can always purchase a private medical coverage plan, this is a very expensive option and many are forced to decide between medical coverage or food on the table. Although the majority of unemployed Americans receive some sort of financial unemployment assistance, however this is a significant decrease from the income that they were once bringing home, therefore it is not sufficient enough to provide for living expenses, bills and medical coverage.
Many of you have heard of COBRA and are probably saying to yourself that this should be sufficient enough for unemployed individuals to maintain their medical cover. Although this is generally true, there is a major flaw in the coverage provided through COBRA. COBRA will end up costing an unemployed individuals a lot more money, for the same level of coverage, that was provided by their employer, since their is no longer a company supplementing the premiums. So although COBRA is there to assist the unemployed, it actually will end up costing them double for health insurance coverage.
COBRA was being supplemented, by the federal government, for a short period of time. Although this additional funding was available to unemployed Americans, many were aware of its existence and those that new about the additional funding still found that the amount was not sufficient enough for them to continue carrying medical coverage.
There is an option for the children, in these low income families, to receive medical coverage through Medicaid. Medicaid will cover the children of these families, however it still leaves the adults without any coverage for themselves. This had lead to many unemployed Americans to feverishly look for employment at a company that can provide them with medical coverage, despite any decrease in the salary they were once earning.
by: Ethan Kalvin.
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