Americans are postponing, even permanently cancelling, their medical appointments and insurance. It’s just gotten to the point where we can’t afford to go to the doctor anymore. My best friend is a kindergarten teacher. Well, I should say she was a kindergarten teacher. This used to be a “recession-proof” career choice, but not anymore. She got her pink slip a few weeks ago, and won’t be returning to school next year. She’ll also be losing her health care coverage, and with no income to pay the bills, she probably won’t be getting her scheduled exams. That is the last thing on her mind. 
According to the Pulse health care survey, an annual poll taken by Thomas Reuters, more respondents have given up on their health care needs due to the financial strain it places on their families. They simply aren’t going to the doctor, aren’t taking their kids to the doctor, because they can’t afford the high premiums and co-pays. Think about that for a second. A hard-working mother who worries about her child’s health and well-being, who was once making a decent wage working the 9-to-5, cannot afford to take her son or daughter to the doctor for routine check-ups.
The study revealed that the majority of deferred services this year were for doctor visits and non-elective procedures. The recession that we find ourselves in is not only affecting our finances and way of life, it is greatly affecting our health.
To top that off, Reuters reports that signs emerged last week that U.S. health insurers already hurt by lower membership because of the weak economy may face more fallout from the recession: higher medical costs. This will only translate, and already has in some areas, into higher medical fees for the insured. It is a vicious cycle that will spiral downward until the recession is brought under control.
We can fix this problem….I’m just saying.
