Find, use, and cite one (1) credible source to support your answer.
300 words.
Do you agree or not with this post?
The Covid-19 pandemic brought many people to the emergency room for testing or Covid treatments. Many of which, had no health insurance or benefits, which naturally, caused panic and concern. Can I survive this pandemic with my health, without putting myself in the hole due to the outrageous costs of treatments and testing in emergency rooms and urgent care? In the beginning stages of the pandemic, it was like pulling teeth to find a place to get tested, let alone a place where it didn’t cost an arm and a leg. For those Americans who make enough to get by but opt out of health insurance due to cutting costs, Medicaid was simply not an option for them because they did not qualify. But making enough to get by and also being able to afford health insurance is just not fiscally feasible for some citizens. However, those who had lost their jobs and benefits were granted aid and potential Medicaid qualifications, due to their sudden financial crisis. With that though, (1) due to the increase in need of coverage, insurance premiums increased significantly. (2) While some states expanded Medicaid eligibility by waving some of the qualifications like being disabled or pregnant, you still had to make below 138% of the poverty line, and childless adults are ineligible, regardless of their income. With that, the “$2,000,000 bailout bill did not provide insurance coverage or subsidies”. All of this can be extremely confusing for an individual, especially those who did not have coverage pre-pandemic, who now suffer even more financially. We live in a time where you either opt out of insurance coverage and pray you don’t get sick, or you spend a huge chunk of your paycheck on something you may not need. It’s disheartening that a lot of people have to choose to put food on their table or get the medications or medical assistance they need.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in the way people access healthcare. Among the major concerns is the high cost of treatments and tests for individuals without health insurance. This has led to confusion and panic among those who cannot afford to pay for medical services. In this answer, I will discuss whether I agree or disagree with the post and provide supporting evidence for my position.
Answer:
I agree with the post that healthcare costs are a significant concern for individuals without health insurance, especially during a pandemic. According to a report by the Commonwealth Fund, uninsured individuals are more likely to face financial hardships when seeking medical care, and they often end up with higher medical bills than those with insurance (Wadhera et al., 2020). This increased financial burden can lead to difficulties in accessing medical care and could worsen an individual’s medical condition.
In addition, the post highlights the challenges of accessing Medicaid for those who do not qualify for it. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in states that did not expand Medicaid, eligibility is limited to parents with very low income, and childless adults are not eligible regardless of their income (KFF, 2020). This makes it difficult for individuals to access Medicaid and receive medical care without financial strain.
Furthermore, the post raises concerns about the high insurance premiums resulting from increased demand for coverage. According to a report by the Urban Institute, individuals without insurance are often faced with higher insurance premiums when seeking medical care, which could lead to a reduction in their access to care (Families USA, 2020).
In conclusion, the high cost of healthcare, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, is a significant concern for individuals without health insurance. The post raises valid concerns about the difficulties in accessing Medicaid and acquiring insurance coverage, which could lead to increased financial burdens for individuals. Policymakers should focus on increasing access to affordable healthcare for all individuals, regardless of their financial status.
References:
Families USA. (2020, August). Uninsured Adults Experienced Financial Instability Even Before COVID-19. Retrieved from https://familiesusa.org/resources/uninsured-adults-experienced-financial-instability-even-before-covid-19/
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2020, October). Eligibility for ACA Health Coverage & Enrollment Overview. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/health-reform/issue-brief/eligibility-for-aca-health-coverage-enrollment-overview/
Wadhera, R. K., Wadhera, P., & Gaba, P. (2020). Health Insurance Coverage and Financial Protections During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Comparison of the United States and Other High-Income Countries. Annals of Internal Medicine, 173(6), 524–531. https://doi.org/10.7326/M20-2937
