Increasing Health Premiums - Essay Example

An ethical and financial concern too is the way Americans are putting off health care because they would rather put their money on food and other necessities than spend extra to go and see a doctor. 

            The major financial issue raised in this article is the increasing cost of health insurance and the high profits earned by health insurers despite the reduction in the availment of medical care by most Americans (Abelson, 2011).  One other issue is whether health insurance companies should already be charging high premiums because they expect a rise in the payouts they will be giving in the future. 

            A legal issue conveyed in the article is the effect of the healthcare law on the high premiums presently being charged by health insurers.  Is it legal for these companies to be increasing charges already to cover the federal laws’ provisions?

1. What are doctors’ legal and ethical responsibilities to their patients under their licenses?

            It is the legal responsibility of a doctor to maintain the confidentiality of the medical records of his patient.  It is also his legal duty to practice his profession within the scope of his training and capabilities.  A doctor must work within the guidelines of the employer’s health care contract and the government’s health care legislation.

            The ethical responsibilities of the doctor to his patient include providing compassionate health service which respects human dignity.  A doctor must be honest with his patients.  They

have the ethical responsibility to respect their patients' rights and obtain other health professionals' assistance when needed.

1. Why are insurance premiums rising when patients’ demands for care are decreasing?

            Insurance premiums are rising even when patients’ demands for care are decreasing because the insurance companies are preparing themselves for any sudden rise in demand when the economy improves and the people have more money to spend on their health needs (Abelson, 2011).  Some observers are also saying that the insurance companies are already preparing for the full enforcement of the healthcare law in 2014 where they expect to earn less when coverage will be more accommodating (Abelson, 2011).

1. If patients are postponing preventive tests, what are the likely future effects on their health?

            If patients postpone preventive tests, later on, it might affect the quality of their health.  This is quite alarming because the possibility of curing some illnesses increases with early detection.  In the long run, the amount they think they are saving from postponing preventive tests may not even be enough to cure future diseases they may acquire.  Delaying preventive tests can cost the patients more financially and will hurt their health.