The total of unemployed American workers reached new heights this week, creating more problems in the longest recession to hit the U.S since the Second World War.
The number of jobless U.S citizens increased by 8.5% last month as employers kept up the vicious pace of cuts in staff and working hours.
Official statistics reveal that 5.1 million Americans have been made redundant since the beginning of the present recession in December 2007. Two thirds of these losses have happened in the past five months. “It is an ugly report, and April is going to be equally as bad,” said Mark Zandi, an economist.
Therefore, when Obama announced his health insurance rescue plan, millions of Americans thanked their lucky stars, as once again, their families could be covered, and they would no longer have to search for the $1,400 a month to pay for health policies.
The promise of a 65% subsidiary on the premium looked like a little bit of SOS heaven for many struggling families attempting to cope in the financial downturn.
However, it appears that heaven has shut its gates, locking everyone out as these struggling families have now been waiting for two months and counting for Obama's promise to materialise.
Many have been left distraught after hearing that health insurance premium discounts may not fully kick in until the summer, and even then they may not be steep enough to make insurance affordable for many of the unemployed.
No good news came forward as experts stated that a delay was very likely, even under the best circumstances. “There are lots and lots of pieces that could break down. This is not idiot proof,” said Karen L. Pollitz a director from health policy institute.
This is not inviting news. Whilst families have no other option but to wait, it seems other health programmes are slightly out of reach too.
Employees have long had the right to continue their group health coverage under COBRA, but the cost of 102% of the full price of the policy is far too expensive for most people, especially as 1.3 million American’s are thought to live under the poverty line.
Obama’s plan is to expand healthcare coverage to the uninsured, while lowering costs and ensuring even the sickest have access to affordable insurance.
However, a delay is very possible, as finding funding for such an effort will be difficult as America’s troubled financial firms, banks, and car makers, are costing billions to save, amidst the worst economic crisis since the 1930s.
Put a plan into action
Whilst the public wait for a health insurance plan to get up and running, California’s Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has claimed that millions of American’s need help and fast.
Schwarzenegger, who together with other governors, took a stab at state reform, said that the American healthcare system fell short of its mission, leaving millions of U.S residents in poor health, with little or no care at all.
Even though the USA spends more money per capita on healthcare than any other nation, it drags behind in terms of quality.
Unequal distribution of care means the insured are put in expensive emergency rooms, while medical debt bills run up causing the prime reason for personal bankruptcy.
Such worries have prompted Steve Burd, Chief Executive of Safeway Inc. to say that if his nationwide supermarket chain is able to cut its healthcare costs, why can't the nation?
Only time will tell if Obama’s new proposal will work as well in practice as it does in theory.
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