Geoffrey Anderson Jr.Copy Editor
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.
Comment: Sunday, June 29, 2008 8:42:00 PM - 
said...
why didn't you mention anything about talking to your employer on why you're not being paid enough to afford insurance or being provided an employer-sponsored plan?
Comment: Monday, June 30, 2008 5:11:00 PM - said...
Unfortunately, many do not consider insurance a priority until they feel the pain of not having it.
Comment: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 2:41:00 AM - said...
He said he is a contract worker. For contract workers, there are no cheap plans, only the expensive individual plans offered at an insurer's "shelf" rates. Also, in NYC, even if you're employed, you still have to pay for 25%, 50%, or more of your monthly premium (only a minority of employers pay the premium in full). This country needs a from-scratch healthcare system that regulates costs where possible and allows insurance to simply be for disasters or other major tests (or better yet, cover everyone's health costs from tax revenue). Many doctors' and medications' costs are way inflated in this country simply because of this catch-22 - since most people pay with insurance, they can raise the rates, and no one is directly affected (the healthcare provider makes extra income on it too!).
Comment: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 2:43:00 AM - said...
While the expense of good health care is an important issue, and while I'm glad to see that you are encouraging health insurance as a private matter to be paid for by the individual or their employer (rather than the "national health care" syndrome), this article/blog really belongs someplace other than the daily eDiet email. We come here for the great food and exercise tips and for information about the eDiet program, not for health insurance concerns.
Comment: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 8:34:00 AM - said...
Hi,there are other reasons for being uninsured,My husband is insured and i'm not he has it where he works,but I can't cause i'm dissabled,but we're married and I can't get my SSI.With one income we can't afford to buy insurance for me...Thank you just my input...Theresa from Ohio
Comment: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 10:29:00 AM - said...
Just a quick comment to the disabled lady. Normally a group insurance plan like your husband probably has at work, will not cover a pre-existing condition. However they will cover other medical costs that are not involved with the pre-existing con-dition. You may want to check that out. At least you would have some coverage.
Comment: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:41:00 PM - said...
what about those that can't be insureed because of (pre excisting) diabetes. I would like to semi retire (62) but I have to stay in group insurance with my company (I am a factory worker) I stand all day and my feet kill me but I am too young for medicare what is out there for me? I don't know if I can stand ( on my feet)for another 4 years
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