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Stats About Health Insurance

Everyone knows they need health insurance, but it’s one of those things that people will often put off getting, for a variety of reasons. Some people think they don’t need it because they’re healthy, or that they won’t be able to afford it, since the cost of insurance has been on the rise. Not only that, but the pandemic caught everyone off guard and caused hardships for many people, including the loss of jobs and health insurance plans. In fact, we’ve got some very eye-opening stats on the state of health insurance in our country today that you need to see – some of them might just convince you that now is the time to finally find your plan!

Millions Of People Lost Coverage Because of Covidgreen viruses

Millions of Americans lost their jobs in the early days of the pandemic when so many businesses were forced to shut down for months. And when these people lost their jobs, they also lost the health insurance provided by their employer, and many remained without health insurance because it was too expensive to purchase their own individual plans.

Over 70% of Uninsured People Say The Cost is Too High, but There’s Something They Don’t Know

One of the main reasons people decide not to purchase health insurance, or to even look into purchasing a plan, is that they think the price is going to be too high. But what some people might not know is that President Biden has made health insurance cheaper and more affordable for people with low to no income by opening up subsidies to more Americans. The Biden administration estimates that ACA premiums will decrease by about $50 per month, with one administration official emphasizing that 4 out of 5 people enrolling “will be able to purchase a plan for $10 or less per month.” This could make a huge difference in the lives of the 14.9 million people who are currently not insured in the U.S.

Over 40% of Those Who Are Insured Don’t Have Enough Coverage

For those who do have health insurance, almost half of them are underinsured, and unfortunately don’t find this out until they receive big bills after getting treatment. Some people don’t review their plan or assume the plan they’ve had for years will be sufficient, when in reality it might not be adequate for their needs. If you think this might be the case for you, or you think that you can only afford the coverage you have and nothing more, it’s worth looking into other plans and speaking with an agent. 

 

overdue bills stacked on top of each other
Many Americans have overdue medical bills that lead to bankruptcy.

Around 20% of Households Have Outstanding Medical Bills

Studies show that around 20% of Americans have bad credit reports because of outstanding medical bills. Because wages are low, inflation is rising, and medical services are extremely expensive, people are choosing to put their money towards other necessities, instead of paying their medical bills.

Medical Bills Are the Leading Cause of Bankruptcy

Over 60% of bankruptcies in America are caused by high medical bills! But what many people are unaware of is that you can have your medical debt forgiven: hospitals do have medical debt forgiveness programs, so if you are struggling with bills, speak to them about ways to have your bill reduced, or even waived completely. 

Get Affordable Coverage

Health insurance can be expensive, but with professional, highly-trained agents on your side, you can find an affordable plan with the right coverage for your needs. We know it can feel like there are endless things to think about when looking for a health insurance plan for you and your family. Do you want more flexibility? Supplemental insurance? Cheaper prescriptions? But the easiest way to find the right plan for you and get the answers to these questions is to work with an EZ agent. We will compare plans, go over every option, discuss your needs, and help you sign up for the plan you need, all at no cost to you. Our services are completely free, with no hassle and no obligation. Get free health insurance quotes by entering your zip code in the bar above, or to speak with a local agent, call 888-350-1890.

African American Women Defy the National Trend of Declining Life Expectancy

Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, and African Americans ages 18-49 are two times as likely to die from heart disease as are Caucasians. Not only that, but according to the CDC, one out of every three African-American adults suffer from high blood pressure, and fewer than half have the condition under control. And while African American women have a lower incidence of breast cancer, they are 41% more likely to die from it. The reason behind these health disparities? Most likely they are due to lack of access to adequate insurance and issues like higher instances of obesity, as well as stress from being overworked. And yet, with all of the stats seeming to be stacked against African American women, they are defying the negative trends, and are making changes to live longer. 

Why Are These Diseases More Common in African American Women?

Researchers have found that there might be a gene that makes African Americans more sensitive to the effects of salt, which is the reason for the increased risk of high blood pressure. Not only that, but they tend to have higher rates of obesity and diabetes, putting them at a higher risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. They also have higher rates of unemployment and poverty, which can mean greater difficulty accessing medical care, and so can be unaware of their risks. 

blood pressure cuff with medicine laying on top of it
“African Americans have the highest hypertension rates in the world.”

Dr. LaPrincess Brewer, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, points out the risks to African American women, as well as the dangers of being aware of these risks: “Each year, more African American women die from heart disease than breast cancer, lung cancer, and strokes combined, which makes heart disease the number one killer of African American women in our nation. However, studies have also revealed that less than half of African American women are aware that heart disease is their number one cause of death.”

“African Americans have the highest hypertension rates in the world. African American women are also the least physically active group of women in the United States. Now’s the time that we focus on changing the narrative on heart health and African American women,” says Dr. Brewer.

African American Women Are Turning Things Around

Despite everything working against African American women, they are making the changes to turn these stats around. They are seeking medical care more, changing their lifestyles to become healthier, and working hard to keep each other on track. Not only have they been holding on to an average lifespan of about 78 years, but other recent studies have shown that African American women are also the most optimistic group in the country.

“What we are seeing is that the message about the importance of health is getting through to black women,” said Linda Goler Blount, president, and chief executive of Black Women’s Health Imperative. “The data show that the majority of us know that we need to improve and are working on it. We also understand the importance of having a positive attitude. When black women are asked to define what good health means, we say things such as ‘being calm’ or ‘being at peace.’ We don’t use diseases to define it. We don’t let a condition like obesity define who we are, even though we work on getting into shape.”two older african american women in workout attire with one holding a yoga mat

“The good news is that black women are coming together to help each other,” Blount said. “We are learning the importance of self-care. We have to take care of ourselves first if we expect to help others.”

And, thanks to the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, millions more Americans have been able to access healthcare, and President Biden’s recent premium tax credit expansion has allowed even more people to get affordable plans. With health insurance being more accessible to everyone, African American women are more likely to seek the medical care they need, without worrying about being hit with huge bills.

All of this means that rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health conditions are lowering among African American women. They are understanding their heightened risk more, seeking care, and adopting preventive lifestyle measures to live longer. African American women are exceptional, and this just proves it even more! 

Find An Affordable Plan That Fits Your Budget

Having the right health insurance plan means being able to get tested and treated for conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or heart disease without having to worry about forking out a lot of money for medical bills. If you don’t have health insurance, or your current plan is not sufficient for your needs or is too expensive, EZ can help. Depending on your circumstances, and with the extra Affordable Care Act subsidies that are currently on offer, we might be able to find you a great plan for as low as $0 a month! Come to us, and we’ll match you with your own agent, who will compare all available plans in your area, and find a plan that suits your needs – we’ll even sign you up for free. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a licensed agent, call 888-350-1890.

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