The clock is ticking, and soon the New Year might lead to disastrous rises in health care premiums for millions of patients who cannot afford them.
Many Americans believe they will not be affected, but in reality, almost all of us will see our access to health care decrease. It is estimated that 5 million people in the United States will drop their health care insurance, and if this happens, not having access to medical professionals in a doctor’s office setting will either prevent patients from seeking care or lead them to rely on emergency room visits.
The cost of that care, especially if they need admission, must legally be covered by the hospital, which could potentially lead to bankruptcy or closure.
Additionally, if you have an emergency, the wait times in ERs will increase, and the hospital might not have an available acute bed or room to schedule elective surgery.
There is growing frustration that profiteering insurance companies have overstepped their authority by “denying” medically ordered care from doctors. Now, due to poor political decisions and lobbyist influence, health care in our country is in chaos.
Of course, politicians will somehow be able to step to the front of the line if they need medical care, while the rest of us wait anxiously for help we might not receive.
Dr. Gene Dorio
Saugus
