Emergency Health Care on the Rise

It's no secret that with the economy and its spiraling freefall, those most affected are the ones receiving pink slips from their employers. As a result, medical insurance is being sacrificed as well. No health insurance means more trips to the emergency rooms. Unfortunately, for many, the emergency room seems to be the only alternative when medical care is needed. We all know how expensive that can be with medical insurance, but when you factor in the lack of employment and no health insurance, well, it becomes clear the crisis that's looming on the horizon.

Doctors are adopting policies of upfront payments with fewer willing to see patients who request to be billed for services rendered, even with established patients who've always been extended this courtesy. This only adds to an overwhelmed emergency room's budget. Costs rise when patients are unable to make payments. What's frightening with this vicious cycle is there appears to be no solutions. The economy is expected to continue its "every day is worse than the previous" pattern. We can't predict when we'll get sick or when Jr. sprains an ankle on the baseball field.

Taking all of this into consideration and then adding rising drug costs, we're clearly in a danger area that must be addressed by our government. It's only been in recent days that any mention of overhauling this country's medical sector has made the headlines. With a new administration in office, each of us as a collective nation awaits for solutions to the soaring medical costs. In the meantime, if you're forced to visit your local emergency room, batten down the hatches - it's likely to be a long wait before a physician is able to see you.

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