The Benefits of Health Insurance Reform for Rural Americans
Rural Americans face a set of challenges that many Americans in more developed areas simply do not. Lower cost medical insurance, better choices and more access to good health care can change all that. Health insurance reform is poised to provide such changes.
Rural Americans are much less likely to get preventative health care than those living in urban areas. Screenings, blood tests and regular exams are often not done with the frequency they should be. The new plan will make sure that everyone, including those living in rural America, will have access to preventative care to ward off disease instead of managing it when it becomes a reality.
Saving Money With Health Insurance Reform
Under our current health care system, those with health insurance end up paying an annual “hidden insurance tax” that totals about $1000 for an average family. This is to cover those who are uninsured and do not pay for health care. This is one of the problems that will be taken care of by the pending changes. Currently 20% of rural Americans don’t have health insurance due to cost. The new plan will make choices affordable.
Amongst those who have health insurance, about 50% of their medical costs are still covered out of pocket. 20% of farmers have outstanding medical debts. Health reform changes that will guarantee preventative care and other basics, should help families deal with such bills. The new plan will also give them the security of knowing that they have good medical coverage when it is needed.
Choices Offer Flexibility
Health insurance exchanges are one of the features of health reform. These marketplaces will allow people to make educated decisions regarding their healthcare easily. They will be able to compare and choose from the various options available on the market so they can have the coverage that best suits their needs and their budget. Under the current system, approximately 33% of farmers purchase individual health insurance coverage directly from the insurer. This is three times more than the rest of the population. Health insurance exchanges will make a huge impact for farmers.
The choices that are available from the health insurance exchange provide secure healthcare. Medical insurance coverage is not dependent on employment. Therefore individuals are covered through the changes in their lives. A common feature in rural parts of the country is domination by one insurer for a particular geographic market, to the tune of 80% of that market. Health insurance reform guarantees an increase in competition amongst insurers and more required accountability for insurers.
Access To Quality Healthcare
Health care reform is committed to ensuring accessibility for rural Americans and others to health care that is both high quality and yet affordable.
Some of their strategies for doing so include the following:
- More primary care providers will be placed in rural areas, so that more of the 65 million people in this country without a PCP will be able to get one.
- Discrimination based on existing medical problems or health conditions will be eliminated. You will be able to get coverage even if you are already ill.
- Small businesses in rural areas will get tax credits for premiums paid on health insurance coverage for employees. Increased competition in the insurance industry will also make coverage more affordable for employers.
- Specialty care will be available by expanded tele-health programs. Medical transportation services will also be expanded.
Rural America is about to see vast changes in their health, thanks to health care reform.
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