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Does everyone really need health insurance?
The holiday season had a few bumps. One of the largest for me was learning that one of my lifelong friends was diagnosed with a life-threatening medical problem. This old buddy is about my age and still lives in the town where we both grew up. He has always been a “free spirit” and, although a professional, he followed a holistic lifestyle and considered himself a healthy person. As such, he did not believe that he needed health care insurance. He was even willing to pay the fine as he crossed over into 2014 without coverage.
New Year’s Eve, however, brought a big unwelcome surprise. He developed symptoms and ended up in the hospital. He had an inpatient procedure and now will need a significant amount of health care in a very short time to save his life. He is back home now, but has quickly realized that this event has completely drained the financial recourses of his entire family. Now, in addition to facing a battle for his life with no insurance, he has no money and little hope.
In this new era where every American is required to have health insurance, the peril of resisting this effort goes way beyond the small fine. The system is now gearing up for an insurance baseline for everyone rather than developing accommodations for the uninsured. So, like my good friend, if you elect to stay outside the system and just pay the fine, you had better not need any type of significant health care or you will face financial ruin or worse.
In working with my circle of old friends, one commented that the Affordable Care Act no longer allows insurers to reject anyone because of a pre-existing condition; therefore, our friend can just go ahead and sign up and get insurance now. Well, this is true, but the problem is the same as was faced by many who attempted to just sign up for the health care exchange last fall. There is a considerable lead time between signing up and actually having health insurance coverage. In the case of my buddy, his health insurance coverage will not be valid until Feb. 1. Unfortunately, my friend will need a great deal of care between now and then and may not even make it to the starting gate.
It would seem to me that any sensible American would have health insurance. If there would suddenly be a reverse scenario where the government was blocking our ability to get health insurance, many more citizens would be upset. Although no one wants government-sponsored health care, no politician would suggest that we repeal Medicare.
As for my friend, we have all rallied around a fundraiser to raise money to help him and his family. However, after a fairly strong effort, we are only 7% of the way to the goal. Each time I look at this sad situation I come back to the same conclusion: Every American absolutely needs health care insurance.