The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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November 8, 2008

Your View — America’s health care coverage inadequate

Fartun Aidid, Mankato

Health care has been a topic that has been highly spoken of. Thus far, we haven’t see changes in health care to affect the public in a positive way.

Currently in the United States, 46 million people — or nearly one in five non-elderly adults and children — lack health insurance, an increase of six million since 2000. In Minnesota, 7.4 percent of the state population is lacking health care, an increase of 22 percent since 1999.

About 68,000 children in Minnesota are uninsured, but it is the 18- to 20-year-olds who have the highest uninsured rate of any age group.

I’m a 23-year-old college student and I am happy to say I have insurance. Sadly, I feel like my insurance is worthless to me right now. I am in desperate need of a root canal. I don’t meet the eligibility, because of my income — I am a college student with a part-time job.

I was eligible for MinnesotaCare, and after explaining to one of its representatives the primary reason I was getting the health insurance, I came to find out MinnesotaCare does not cover endodontic dental work.

I believe this is a primary example of why Americans are in a lot of debt, due to medical needs.

When the problem with my tooth started, I needed a singled root canal; today, I need two root canals.

They say we are the future of America, but with the health care system, I know I am going to be another victim of American’s inadequate health care coverage.

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