Having assurance santé means you don’t have to worry about high medical bills if you get sick or injured. But health coverage isn’t just about financial protection; it also helps you stay healthy by reducing your risk of serious illness, catching illnesses like cancer early, and getting care when you need it.
The ACA requires that all individual and small group health plans (for those who don’t have traditional job-based coverage) cover essential health benefits, including maternity, mental health, and preventive care. But the Trump administration and some members of Congress want to allow insurers to sell short-term health plans that don’t have to comply with these requirements. Learn more about what these plans would mean for Californians.
Before the ACA, many low-income families were forced to choose between cash welfare and health coverage. But Medicaid expansion opened up this crucial safety net to millions of people. As a result, poor families saw their child mortality rates plummet and were able to access health services they couldn’t afford before—like doctors’ visits, hospitalizations, and medications. Medicaid has also helped states shift care for people with disabilities and seniors away from nursing homes into home and community-based settings.
As health reform continues to take effect, we’re learning more about how it will improve quality and accessibility for all Americans. But it’s still not enough to ensure that every American has the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives. That’s why it’s important to continue to support efforts to expand health coverage, reduce costs, and increase transparency and choice for all.
All of the health insurance plans available through Covered California include free preventive care, such as annual check-ups and immunizations, and health screenings for things like blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and more. And all of the plans also provide cost-effective prescription drug coverage, as well as free disease management programs. This helps keep you healthy, so you can focus on what matters most to you.
Even if you’re generally healthy and exercise regularly, accidents can happen—and they can be expensive. Having health insurance can help you avoid large medical bills and financial ruin.
Whether you have or don’t have health insurance, the pros and cons of each option deserve careful consideration. The main advantages of having health insurance are lower premium costs, more choices in healthcare providers, and potential tax benefits. The main disadvantages of not having health insurance are a potentially higher risk of financial ruin and reduced access to needed healthcare services. Carefully considering these issues can help you make the best decision for you and your family.
