The Economy and the Health Care System in the US - Essay Example

I write to you to express my concerns with the economy and the health care system. I am certain that you have gotten many requests already about these concepts, so I do appreciate the time you take to listen to my opinions on this matter. As far as health care is concerned, I feel that there is a serious problem with the system. I never had to use my health care until a recent illness, and I was shocked to discover how much an emergency room visit costs (even with benefits), and the itemization of the bill was ludicrous. For instance, I was charged $38 for a magnesium pill—these can be bought at a drugstore at 100 counts for less than $10. The doctor, whom I barely saw, charged me close to $900 for being in the hospital for around 4 hours.

My bill would have been $8000 without insurance; luckily I had to pay only $2500, still a lot, but not too bad considering the original expense. I see now why so few people can afford this, and why the situation is getting out of control. I am therefore in full agreement with promoting a government-sponsored healthcare program to help cut back medical costs. What worries me most at this time is the fact that some of my very close friends do not have health insurance (and they have two 14-month-old twin boys). If anything happened to them or the babies, since they are both without full-time jobs (lost due to the economy), they would lose everything. This situation is terrible for many people, and to imagine two hardworking people losing their homes and having to find a way to take care of their babies without a house is a thought I would like to be able to put out of my mind, but I cannot due to the current situation.

This brings me now to my fear about the economy. 

They are less and less able to provide unemployment.  Of course, this will only make things worse for the economy.  If these people are not able to get unemployment checks to survive, they will lose their homes and not have the money to spend on groceries or anything else to stimulate the economy.  The states need to make sure they have enough in their budget to provide for the necessary unemployment extensions, especially for people with children trying not to lose their homes.

I feel that the situation is dire, but there must be some hope out there for both myself and the American people.  If hope can somehow be stimulated, there will be more excitement about the future.  Right now so many people are in devastating situations that it is difficult to get them inspired about anything.  More and more people refuse to spend money on anything except for necessities, even if they have extra income, because of what is going on.  Therefore, I do hope you can quickly address these two issues for the benefit and inspiration of the country that so willingly elected you into office.

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