Despite the fact that the American health care system is unmatched as far as expertise and innovation is concerned, there exist lacunae in the health care industry. Americans fear that they may not get appropriate treatment should any medical emergency arise. This can be attributed to the fact that the health care system in United States doesn’t function properly. Many Americans are still not insured adequately. And with the ongoing recession, people have also cut down their coverage costs to save cash. Insurance related facts related to American health care system is very essential for keeping in knowledge. Americans should always be aware regarding their health insurance policy.

There are differing views of politicians as far as health care services are concerned. And some feel that the health care system should be under the control of the government, while others feel that it should go on the way it is today. In United States, consumers have been in the drivers’ seat always until the subprime mortgage crisis set in, that made the entire system topsy-turvy. Consumers have the freedom to choose services as well as products as per their wish. This is true in almost all sectors e.g. financial services, insurance sector. The same also applies in the hospitality industry etc. However, as far as the health care sector is concerned, Americans don’t have the freedom to select their health care preferences. This is one of the main drawbacks of the health care system in US.

• As per the existing health care insurance norms, the employer decides the coverage and buys the health plan for the worker. The employer decides the cost and the coverage that will be extended to the employee.
• Currently, the worker makes payments towards the health insurance coverage. However, the health insurance policy is owned by the employer. In case, the worker switches jobs, he is unable to carry the policy with him. If you are planning to buy it from any source other than the employer, it usually costs more. If you buy a health insurance policy through the employer, you get to enjoy tax benefits.

The federal government should take the following steps to make health insurance plans more consumer-friendly.

• The tax benefit that is currently available only if you buy a health insurance policy through an employer can be extended to the individuals too.
• Workers should be allowed to retain their health insurance policies even if they are switching jobs. This would ensure “portability in coverage”.
• The federal government should remove regulatory penalties as well as statutory prohibitions that are imposed when individuals or families want to own health insurance policies sold in a different state.

Families as well as individuals should be given freedom to choose a health insurance policy of their own so that health care facilities can be accessed by every individual without much hassle.