Private health coverage in America has been receiving mixed reviews over the last few months with the election race coming to a head. One of the problems is how much people are paying for so little coverage in comparison to what the same amount of money would have covered you for a decade or so ago. The majority of the country is living without any form of health insurance and those that do, are finding themselves going bankrupt trying to supplement the coverage they have in order to cover the costs of treatment.

With the credit crisis leaving many jobless, thousands of unemployed people that once enjoyed health coverage through their employers are finding out that in order to keep the coverage they once contributed 20% towards they will have to pay the entire cost. Leah Smith found herself to be one of these, unemployed and presented with the option to pay $400 a month to remain under the employer’s health plan for a further 18months. Luckily for her, the disability insurance she had allowed for her to continue to enjoy coverage at this price.

After 18 months however she was still earning too much with her current employer too receive Medicaid but not enough to receive to purchase a plan on the open market. Her saving grace came in the form of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act but at $730 a month it is no cheap option. Too pricey for others on lower wages the only option is to pop vitamins and hope to stay healthy.