Health Care and Insurance Coverage

Health Care and Insurance Coverage
Milestone
1/06/2020
Health Care and Insurance Coverage
Introduction
Access to health care in the United States is a challenge for many of its citizens for a long time; the challenges range from expensive medications, poor quality health care, and a high number of people who lack insurance covers. One of the problems in the health care system is the overpricing of medication for chronic illnesses that majorly affects the elderly. Treatment for chronic diseases is barely affordable.
History
Over the years, the prices of various medicines have continued to rise. A chart on an AARP article clearly shows a significant increase of $4019 in the brand cost of mostly used and prescribed drugs. In an article published on CNN, prices of major prescribe medications and prescriptions for senior citizens has increased about ten times the annual inflation rate over the last five years. The article is based on findings of a congressional report that was published recently.
Socio-Economic Background
Socio-economic factors play a significant role in how individuals access health care. Among the most affected are people living in poverty, the elderly, uneducated persons, and low-income earners. A survey, the Commonwealth Fund's ACA Tracking Survey, found uninsured people are low-income earners. Those living in poverty seldom afford to pay for their health insurance, raising the percentage of uninsured people in the United States. This makes it hard for them to access medical services. Some elderly persons in society do not own a retirement insurance plan. Hence, they are unable to access health care services. Uneducated people do not have the knowledge to help them secure full health insurance coverage, nor the importance of the same.
Gap Effect
People who do not have an insurance cover are limited in their access to specific medication and procedures.
Implications
It is a well-known fact that health care is essential to an individual. If the challenges mentioned are not addressed, many individuals are set to face dire repercussions. The health care system will, in turn, be strained with the rising number of patients who are unable to pay their resulting medical bills. States that have failed to provide affordable insurance options for its citizens continue to stretch the system that offers uninsured people with healthcare. Resources in this system are scarce, while the demand is high.
Existing Initiatives
Existing Healthcare Initiative
Medicaid Expansion, along with the Healthcare Insurance Marketplace, is on...