Thursday, January 15, 2009

Health Insurance: Not Just For Families Anymore

By Ethan Kalvin

We are all aware of the political debates going on in Washington these days regarding the possibility of providing health care for all Americans. And though the discussions sometimes seem to take more attention than they should, there is one segment of the population that is overlooked in the debates, and that is unmarried young adults. Young single adults are more likely to be uninsured than other groups for many reasons.

Most young people are relatively new to the work force and as such are often working in entry level jobs which don't offer the best benefit packages. It is not unusual for recent college graduates to take jobs which don't offer health insurance. The ugly truth is that this category of citizens often get overlooked when it comes to health care.

Quite often, young people in their twenties and thirties aren't very concerned that they don't have health coverage. After all, they are in the prime of their lives with minimal responsibilities and filled with optimism for the future. Their health is not a concern and they're used to rebounding quickly after a routine cold or flu. Chronic disease or debilitating injuries don't seem to be on their radar, as they consider those things usually to be reserved for older people.

For young people without insurance, the options are simple and stark. For starters, you could go on about your life without health insurance, hoping that nothing goes wrong. If you should get seriously ill, you could pay out of your pocket for care and hope that you get well before your money runs out. The second option would involve being proactive in addressing your health. Take preventative measures that will keep you healthier and in better shape. If you should get sick and couldn't pay for it, government assistance is usually available.

The last option is the one that makes the most sense and it is simple. Get health insurance. Yes, you will be paying premiums much higher than you want or think you can afford. But all of the latest electronic gadgets or expensive clothes in the world won't do you a bit of good if you can't use them because of poor health. So be the most important person in your own life. Get yourself covered under a health insurance plan. - 16492

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