Locating affordable health care for Americans is not as easy as it used to be. Many companies are now increasing the charges, for providing this service to their workers or cutting back on the level of cover. This situation happened to me not that long ago at the company I work for when every employee's health benefits were reduced. My employer's excuse was it was getting to expensive with the current company and was going to switch to a less expensive one.

Unfortunately, the old system didn't benefit everyone in the company but the new one would, it was claimed. Some people will argue of course, that my new insurance is still fantastic and I am fortunate to have it. The problem is that in an effort to find a less expensive insurance, having my husband and daughter on the policy is now costing twice the amount it did before. Taking a good deal less home in my paycheck to have my family remain on the healthcare policy seems to be the only option I have because almost everyone else is happy with the new arrangement.

From what I have seen, this new company we are with is not in the same league as the old one even though I still seem to have a reasonably good plan. For many of us, higher out of pocket expenses and less in our paychecks is the only result of this pursuit of an affordable health care plan. 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. This new plan, under similar circumstances however, would personally cost me in excess of 5,000 dollars.

This figure does not take into account additional amounts I must pay out of my salary. The availability of affordable health care plans is on the increase which should help those less fortunate. Those less fortunate can now get free health care more readily and workers without health care are able to join special schemes. Unfortunately, there are always a few that want to ruin it for the rest and this system is prone to misuse.

Those programs should be for struggling families who are taking steps to better their futures, not for people who have no motivation and live off of the state systems and affordable health care programs. We all have a responsibility to help those less fortunate but those who abuse the system put extra financial pressure on the rest of us. Financially speaking, my company saw the real advantage to this switch and some of the 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.