Guide Note
Health insurance helps cover the cost of medical bills for Americans who require medical care. Most health insurance plans cover a percentage of medical costs and require the user to pay the remaining percentage, although certain people qualify for government health insurance such as Medicare or Medicaid.
Fast Facts
- Some employers offer subsidized group health insurance plans
- Indemnity coverage allows users to pick which hospital, doctor or clinic they receive care from, but usually require payment of a deductible1
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) insurance costs are usually lower, but offer a limited network of care providers1
- In 2006, over 16% of Americans under the age of 65 were uninsured2
- 9.3% of U.S. children were uninsured in 20062
- Over 47 million Americans do not have health insurance3
- Medical expenses may be tax deductible if they exceed 7.5% of one's income1
Universal Health Care
The policy of universal health care would allow all Americans to have access to quality healthcare regardless of their income or background. Several members of the Democratic Party, including presidential hopeful Barack Obama have proposed plans for universal health care4 and polls show that it is a major concern among U.S. citizens.5
