Locating affordable health care for Americans is not as easy as it used to be. Companies are using rising premiums and tighter financial budgets to reduce the level of health care available to their employees. I know this because before 2006 I had a really good health care package with my company but it has got worse this year. They informed everyone that owing to the increasing cost of providing health care, they were going to use a new, less expensive provider.

They said it was necessary if all their employees were to have the same level of health care. I suppose some people are better off and perhaps I shouldn't sound ungrateful. To some extent I do agree, but their search for another provider now costs me double the money from my paychecks to have my husband and daughter on my policy. Without a pay increase, my paychecks are now much smaller just so that my family can have cover.

To be honest, I got on well with the old provider but can't see that happening here even if the health care plan is half decent. An affordable health care provider may have been the excuse for the change but the only result some of us have seen is higher out of pocket expenses and co-pays, not to mention reduced paychecks. I am sure of this because just over 2 years ago when I had my little boy, the stay in hospital was completely covered by my insurance policy. Working out that same stay with the new plan would mean approximately 4,000 dollars would have to be paid by me.

There are also the co-pays to consider, another cost in addition to the hospital fees I would have to pay. There is obviously a market for these schemes because more and more affordable health care options are becoming available. Some people are even able to get free health care, also single mothers or families where an employment scheme isn't available are having the opportunity to join low cost plans. I applaud the set up of these programs but not enough is done to stop those that wish to take advantage and ruin it for others.

Those less well off are in need of these affordable health care schemes but they are also used by those who are intent on living of the state and do not actually contribute to society. Taxpayers, such as me, are contributing to the vast number of programs currently available. By switching providers, it was my company that realized the true advantages of this low cost option and a number of employees. Having a reduced income seems to be the result of these work changes with only the company truly benefiting. In the long term we really need to do something in America to help those in need find affordable health care.