Should the Uninsured Defer Coverage for the Obama Health Plan?

By Holly Bentz

Deferring today's health issues provokes tomorrow's chronic medical conditions With Obama's health plan in the works, it will be years before the uninsured can expect a government backed policy to take effect. Cancer is a prevalent chronic medical condition, affecting over a million Americans and accounting for more than 500,000 deaths each year. Almost 8 percent of the American population is afflicted with diabetes. Annually, heart attacks account for 300,000 deaths each year. [Source: National Institute of Health] The aforementioned diseases represent the leading causes of death. Obtaining a diagnosis before it is too late to manage these life-threatening ailments significantly influences morality.

As in the case of Bea Levinson (59), she had gone without health insurance for five years. By the time she was diagnosed with lung cancer, it was in its final stage, rendering no hope for treatment. Ms. Levinson's case reflects the risk of waiting for a finalized Obama Health Plan to pass. Out of the leading causes of death, the National Institute of Health says that finding these complications early could extend life with the proper medical care, long before the complication evolves into the critical stages.

Those, who are afflicted with a chronic illness, may end up covering their own medical expenditures. Being uninsured, many Americans tend to forgo health insurance coverage and ultimately treatment. Inevitably, deferring Michigan health insurance until the final details of the Obama health plan is refined is like imposing self-inflicted euthanasia.

Nevertheless, waiting for the final draft of the Obama Health Plan is tantamount to giving one a death sentence. The misconception that Michigan health insurance is an optional requirement is the reason many fall prey to financial devastation. Regardless of one's current situation (unemployed, college student or a preexisting medical condition), a wealth of affordable Michigan health insurance policies can be can be customized to meet a consumer's unique financial and medical situation. Use the following strategies for shopping for an economical Michigan Health Insurance plan:

- Select an insurance policy that meets all health, employment and financial contingencies. Steer clear of Michigan Health insurance plans protecting against a single type of illness. Consider policies that clearly identify what is covered.

- Protect your health. As it could be another five years before the Obama health plan is finalized, do not defer coverage until the program is refined.

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