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Geoffrey Anderson Jr.
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It’s not a topic that people regularly talk about amongst friends. You can’t just bring it up over a pint of beer after work or during a casual conversation about the weather — it’s somewhat personal.
Yes, I am uninsured. And yes, it does suck.
Unfortunately, I am in good company. Last week, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that about 54 million Americans were uninsured at one point during 2007. More than 30 million Americans reported being uninsured for at least a year prior to being surveyed by the CDC.
Sure, there are plenty of benefits to health insurance, such as peace of mind, but what is a person supposed to do when it can’t be afforded? With rising gas and food prices eating up disposable income, even a low premium can prove devastating to a low-income individual or family. Eligibility requirements for Medicaid further complicate matters.
Not everyone can be so lucky, though. If there’s one lesson that experience taught me, it’s that one’s health shouldn’t be taken for granted. It’s one thing to be poor, but it’s a completely different (and unfortunate) situation to be poor and unhealthy. I still don’t have health insurance for myself (I’m a contract worker), but consider getting insured if you can spare the money or talk to your employer about it. The peace of mind is worth it.
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