Today in America, many more of its population is in need of affordable health care. Whilst increased premiums are part of the reason, many employers are reducing the level of cover due to budgetary cutbacks. My work health care plan was, until the latter part of 2006, great but now the benefits it supplied have been reduced. Last fall, out of the blue, we were informed that our health care provider was going to be switched to a cheaper alternative. For people who have not gained access to affordable health care often seek out those who offer  help stop snoring  especially when this is their problem.

The excuse was that they were trying to ensure the new package would help everyone in the company. I am told that the new insurance package is still very good and I'm lucky to have it. The new insurance company may be cheaper for the company but it isn't for me because to have my husband and daughter in the plan costs double what it did with the previous provider. This means, that for my company to provide a health plan to all of the employees, it is no longer affordable for us.

I liked the previous company and so far I am not as impressed with the new one although the health care plan doesn't seem that bad. Increased out of pocket expenses and higher co-pays and less money in our paychecks are the result of my company's change to an affordable health care provider. My last policy took care of all the hospital stay when I had my little boy nearly 3 years ago. Working out that same stay with the new plan would mean approximately 4,000 dollars would have to be paid by me.

There are also the co-pays to consider, another cost in addition to the hospital fees I would have to pay. We are now seeing an increasing number of companies creating affordable health care plans. Those less fortunate can now get free health care more readily and workers without health care are able to join special schemes. The problem is when a small number of people take advantage of a system that was designed for those that needed it most.

I feel sorry for those in genuine need of affordable health care who must look around and see others who are just sponges on the system: a financial burden to the state. Sometimes it's hard because your conscience says you should help but you know that many people that do not deserve help will benefit and the taxpayer is the one who pays. Financially speaking, my company saw the real advantage to this switch and some of the employees. It worked out just fine for my employers when they switched providers but many of us are paying the price. Affordable health care is a long term issue that needs addressing in this country because it's those worst off who are affected.