The plight of the uninsured

Freeman, The (Waukesha, WI)

Even in the post-Affordable Care Act era, millions of Americans are still struggling without health insurance.

That leaves them open to illness when they don’t seek proper care, or to unaffordable medical bills if they do.

SKYROCKETING BILLS

Insurance policies can be incredibly expensive for those who do not work for an employer who provides a coverage plan. Costs go up the more members there are in a family, sometimes making this coverage out of reach even if you have provided coverage. Faced with the prospect of huge out-of-pocket expenses, most people in this situation simply remain uninsured and hope for the best — but they can face financial ruin if the worst happens. Health care, in some cases, has never been more expensive.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

The number of those who are uninsured remains below the levels seen before the advent of the Affordable Care Act. At the same time, Medicare offers almost universal coverage for the elderly, with less than 1 percent of their population among the uninsured. Yet nearly 28 million don’t have coverage in America. Most of them are working-age adults in families with low incomes. Some 6 in 10 of the uninsured are people of color. Most live in the West and South. The typical uninsured person in the U.S. has been without coverage for a long period of time, indicating an inability to reverse this uncertain situation.

WHY COST MATTERS

Most working-age adults obtain insurance through their employers in America.

But not every worker is offered these sponsored coverage packages, and some simply can’t afford to pay their share of the included premium. Medicaid covers many low-income earners, but eligibility may be limited in states that have not adopted voluntary expansions associated with the Affordable Care Act.

Few can afford to buy private coverage on their own without some sort of financial assistance.

HELP FOR THOSE IN NEED

The federal government’s Health Resources Services Administration operates health center programs across the U.S. providing care on a helpful fee scale. Search for one near you at indahealthcenter. hrsa.gov/. Affordable health coverage options can also be found at the healthcare. gov marketplace — but be aware of scams associated with the marketplace.

Government enrollment assistants will never ask you for money. Representatives will never call or email to ask for personal information, or to sell insurance programs.