Increasing numbers of Americans need some sort of affordable health care. Some employers for hardworking employees have had to cut back on some of the health care for everyone because of the rising costs and working with a budget. In this instance I speak with experience because my health care service has reduced this year for the first time ever. This was a shock to everyone; being told that the health care provider was going to be replaced because the cost was too great.

To make the system fair to everyone, the health care provider would need to change. I don't doubt that many people will say that I am still doing alright and shouldn't complain. 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. So basically in order for all the employees to benefit where I work, I have to pay double but my pay remains the same so I am actually taking home less.

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. In my opinion, the company's search for affordable health care not only left all of us with a significant cut in our paychecks, but higher co-pays and more out-of-pockets expenses from us. It makes more sense when you realize just how good the old policy was because I didn't pay cent when I stayed in hospital 2 years ago giving birth to my daughter. Compare this to the new health care plan and I would be out of pocket by over 4,000 dollars.

However, that amount is just for the hospital and delivery because I would also have other expenses and that just doesn't seem fair to the majority that are involved. We are now seeing an increasing number of companies creating affordable health care plans. 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. Unfortunately, there are always a few that want to ruin it for the rest and this system is prone to misuse.

For many people desperately trying to improve their situation these affordable health care plans are a life-line but to others they are just an easy option. Although I say they can be a burden to the state, I really mean a burden to its citizens because it is the tax payer who foots the bill. My employer definitely found advantages in finding a lower cost health plan provider for their employees! However, their money saving technique wasn't good news to employees because suddenly we were making up for their cost cutting endeavor - by seeing less money in our paychecks. If we are to help the worst affected, we need to start looking at long term options for Americans in providing cost effective, affordable health care.