Increasing numbers of Americans need some sort of affordable health care. A number of employers have reduced their health care benefits because accountants are working to tighter budgets and the costs of providing this service have risen. My work health care plan was, until the latter part of 2006, great but now the benefits it supplied have been reduced. Last fall, out of the blue, we were informed that our health care provider was going to be switched to a cheaper alternative.

Unfortunately, the old system didn't benefit everyone in the company but the new one would, it was claimed. I suppose some people are better off and perhaps I shouldn't sound ungrateful. 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. Ok, so many other people benefit, including my company, but my paycheck is considerably lighter now that the premium has doubled to keep my family on the policy.

I suppose my health care plan is still good but this new company is not as good as the old one. Increased out of pocket expenses and higher co-pays and less money in our paychecks are the result of my company's change to an affordable health care provider. 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. Whereas if I were to have that same stay in hospital today it would cost over 4,000 dollars.

There are also the co-pays to consider, another cost in addition to the hospital fees I would have to pay. Luckily there are more and more affordable health care programs being created to help those that do not have any coverage. Options now exist for people that are not supplied with a health provision where they work, and now single mothers have access to plans which they can join; some people can even have free health care. 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.

There are just too many people who want nothing more than the state to pay for them and make it harder for those who are in genuine need of affordable health care, trying to improve their circumstances. Sometimes it's hard because your conscience says you should help but you know that many people that do not deserve help will benefit and the taxpayer is the one who pays. By switching providers, it was my company that realized the true advantages of this low cost option and a number of employees. Many of the workers found themselves subsidizing the company's desire to save money yet still provide a scheme by ensuring that they paid in their paychecks. Something needs to be done in this country to offset rising costs and provide more affordable health care to those who are in need.