Revision of Employer-Based Insurance
Carol Kennedy
Axia College of University of Phoenix
Revision of Employer-Based Insurance
The future goal to having a successful U.S. health care system means providing all Americans with adequate medical coverage. “There are approximately 47 million Americans without health insurance, and researchers have estimated that about four-fifths of them are either employed or members of a family with an unemployed adult (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2007). Most of these people are middle-class citizens that can not afford medical insurance, and do not qualify for government assistance. In order for health care reform to move forward current health insurance regulations need to be revised. For example, a pre-existing medical condition is a precursor to higher premiums, and in most instances the reason many Americans are not insured. The revision of regulations regarding a pre-existing waiting period may initiate other areas of change. The elimination of a “Pre-existing medical condition” clause by the health insurance carrier should be implemented; therefore a person must not be penalized for having a chronic illness.
Health insurance carriers have the authority to regulate policy premiums and refusal of medical coverage. However, employer-based insurances should provide medical coverage regardless of the employees’ medical history, or their family member’s. The benefit of eliminating the “Pre-existing medical condition” clause would allow a person diagnosed with a chronic illness to receive adequate medical coverage. The fear of paying a higher premium, or the refusal of medical coverage should be alleviated altogether.
The proposal is to offer employees health care insurance regardless of medical history is relatively simple. Initially, the employee will choose the coverage plan that best suite their medical needs. Most insurance carriers offer several options, such as a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO),...