Today, health care costs in America are ridiculous high for those average wage earner. It is not unusual to fork out $500 a month to protect yourselves in the case of a life-threatening event such as cancer or a massive heart attack if you do not have employer-paid health insurance. And if you need to extend your hospital stay, you may find your bill to amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical care, not to mention ongoing requirements of prescription medication costs which may amount to hundreds of dollars for a single prescription, which you probably need to refill every month source article here .

Although the government provide incentives to the public in the form of tax breaks to promote affordable health insurance for small business employees in group plans, few employers have availed themselves of this option. It is simply too expensive. Small business owners are already strapped and the tax breaks offered do not measure up well.

This leaves the citizens in the limbo. If you are forced to pay for your own insurance premiums, you may well find yourself in the situation of choosing between eating and being insured properly - so which is more important? Actually, there is no such thing as an affordable health insurance. If you are unfortunate enough to suffer a costly medical treatment, you may even have to go bankrupt just to stay alive.

If your personal income falls at or below the poverty line, you may find yourself being qualify for affordable health insurance. Most states have Federally funded insurance programs which helps pay for treatment in the case of life threatening conditions. You are then allowed medical treatment on a level that sustains life, but are disallowed certain procedures. Insurance premiums are determined on a sliding fee scale, depending on the total household income and the number of persons in your family. Such premiums do fit the description of affordable health insurance, but are somehow lacking in the quality of care you can receive.

The recent cuts in health insurance funding have been characterized by a reduction in what are being deemed as necessary services. Take for example, in the 2006, the Feds required State agencies to cut their health care costs by a certain percentage point. States responded by making the cuts in a rather arbitrary manner. Dental services were cut to emergency only. At the same time, the current administration require the VA to cut dental funding to Vietnam vets, so that Iraq war vets could receive better treatment. This directive resulted in some Vietnam vets, who are with crumbling teeth due to the effects of Agent Orange, removing their own teeth with a pair of pliers. They did not have any choice. Such a failed health insurance program is a total disgrace to the nation.

With a new bunch of candidates aspiring to the Presidency, affordable health insurance is a hot debate issue. This rich nation should address the issue of affordable health insurance with more than just pure lip service. All of our citizens deserve decent health care without regard to income levels.