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It's no secret that there is a current struggle with the U.S. health care system. According to a recent Towers Perrin study, the average cost of medical coverage for an insured, employed worker is predicted to be $5,124 with no dependents, and $15,084 annually to cover an entire family in 2010.

Even more astounding is the number of Americans without insurance. Currently, there are an estimated 46 million without health insurance coverage and unfortunately, that number is expected to grow to as much as 50 million by 2010.

While the United States is often revered as one of the greatest countries in the world, when it comes to health care, its ranking often falls below other industrialized countries. This is part of the reason that Congress is working so hard to completely overhaul the current health care system.

But if you've wondered just how the United States measures up to other countries in health care, let's take a closer look at our nation in comparison to others.

Health Care Costs Around the World and the World Health Care Ranking

According to 2009 data from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), the total health spending for the United States in 2007 equaled 16% of gross national product. This was by far the highest amount of spending dedicated to health care in the world. According to OECD, the average amount spent on health care worldwide was 8.9%.

Some of the countries that followed the U.S. in total health spending were:

• France with 11% spending
• Switzerland at 10.8%
• Germany at 10.4%

On the other end of the spectrum were Poland, Mexico and Turkey with total health spending of 6.4%, 5.9% and 5.7% spending, respectively.

World health care rankings also determine which countries are ranking well, which is distributed each year by the World Health Organization (WHO). In 2009, the United States ranked 37th in the world in health care. But while it could give a huge indication to the current state of health care in the country, many experts refute the ranking's validity, noting that it is dated and flawed.

Quality of U.S. Health Care

While the world health care ranking is arguably not a true indicator of our quality of care in comparison to the rest of the world, with the U.S. leading the world in total spending, the question arises as to whether the quality of health care is comparable to the amount of money spent on that care.

In 2007, a Pennsylvania government study found that among 60 surveyed hospitals, those that received $100,000 to perform heart bypass surgeries versus those that received $20,000 for the same operation showed comparable lengths of stay and death rates. Even more interesting is that while the U.S. is revered for quality technology and care, according to OECD, in 2006 the life expectancy at birth in the United States was 78.1 years, which is less than the OECD world average of 79.0 years.

So if the lower life expectancy is not necessarily a reflection of the quality of health care in the country, could it be a lack of health care altogether?

A 2009 study released by the Cambridge Health Alliance found that people without health insurance have a 40% greater chance of dying than those with private insurance. According to the study, the main reason that patients were more likely to die was because they didn't seek preventative care or early detection. As a result, illnesses progressed far beyond what they would have with an insured patient.

Unfortunately, the lack of health insurance often ties back to the rising costs of health care, as well as an increase in unemployment. People simply cannot afford coverage. So while the quality of health care at the doctor's office may be stellar, many people cannot make it to the doctor or hospital to receive care.

Health Care Reform: Will We Measure Up?

The major health care overhaul being debated is a great indication that things need to change within the U.S. health care system. There is evidence that health care is overpriced, leaving millions underserved. As a result, President Obama has spearheaded an effort to create affordable insurance to the American masses.

So far, Congress has spent many months creating bills among various committees within the House and Senate. Provisions have been thrown in and adjustments have been made. But ultimately, the ultimate goal of the reform is:

• Reducing rapidly rising health care costs
• Protecting consumers from insurance abuses (i.e. denying coverage due to preexisting conditions)
• Providing affordable options to those who are uninsured
• Avoiding additions to the federal deficit

There have been a number of initiatives proposed to make this wish list a reality. However, the final bill has yet to find its way to Obama's desk for signing into law.

After all is said and done, the hope is that the new health care system (which is set to cost nearly $2 trillion over 10 years) will decrease health care costs and effectively provide millions with affordable insurance options. Maybe then, the U.S. health care system will help increase the nation's life expectancy and eventually measure up to other countries with not just the best equipment and top-notch physicians - but also the ability to provide Americans with access to quality care when needed.

Affording health insurance is a challenge for many Americans. According to a 2008 Census Bureau report, 46.3 million Americans were without health insurance. However, when the final tally is counted for 2009, that number is expected to jump to 50 million.

With over 10% of the working population (roughly 15 million) unemployed in October 2009, most are without health insurance unless they have been able to keep their COBRA benefits. This, along with the fact that health care costs have skyrocketed and many employers cannot insure their workers means that a staggering number people are forced to go without proper health care.

Health Insurance Costs and the Consequences of a Lack of Coverage

As we all know, Congress has been working tirelessly to draft a bill that will present affordable health insurance to the nation's masses. One reason for the strong effort is the high number of Americans without coverage, and another is the unbelievably high cost for those who do have coverage.

Recent data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services revealed that in 2007, $7,421 was spent per person (man, woman and child) in health expenses. According to more recent data, that number is projected to top $8,000 for 2009.

Because individuals and families can't seem to get around paying thousands in premiums, deductibles, co-pays and other out-of-pocket expenses each year - and those without insurance can't afford to pay out-of-pocket - for many, the hard choice has become going without medical care.

The problem is that there are consequences to the choice. A report from the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that those who are uninsured tend to receive less preventative care, as well as less therapeutic care (drugs and surgical interventions), and as a result are often diagnosed only at advanced disease stages.

Even worse, data from a Harvard Medical School research team revealed that 45,000 deaths have been attributed to a lack of health insurance and that 40% of uninsured working-age Americans are more likely to die than those with private coverage.

Low-Income Health Insurance Options

With so much evidence that health insurance is vital to the well-being of the country, low-income insurance options began cropping up to present affordable alternatives to unemployed and underemployed workers. Low-income health insurance is simply an affordable way for those with little-to-no income to pay for their health care costs. This insurance could come in the form of free and low-cost government programs, local medical clinics or prescription drug programs.

Low Income Resources

The Office of Minority Health provides a great resource to the large majority of low-income insurance options available. Here are some links from the site that could help you locate program details, eligibility requirements and more:

1. Community Health Center Locator - This locator connects you with a number of community health centers and migrant health centers. You could also locate public housing primary care projects and other health care funding options from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
2. Eldercare Locator - This locator is a public service of the U.S. Department of Aging and provides a nationwide directory to assist older persons in finding local low-income health care support. The directory provides the names and phone numbers of organizations within your area that could help get you the health coverage you need.
3. Eye Care America - This organization offers access to nationwide eye care programs for both seniors and sufferers of diabetes or glaucoma. According to the site, there are more than 7,500 ophthalmologists who volunteer to see ECA patients.
4. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Information Center - HRSA offers resources and referrals on health care services for low-income and uninsured individuals with special health care needs.
5. Hill-Burton Free and Reduced Cost Care at Hospitals - Hill-Burton care helps individuals in nursing homes and other facilities pay for their car. Eligibility is based on family size and income.
6. Insure Kids Now! - This national campaign links families of uninsured children (ages birth to age 18) to free and low-cost state health insurance programs.
7. Medicaid - This health program is eligible to individuals and families with low income and little resources. This program is open to people of all ages and is jointly funded by states and the federal government.
8. Medicare - This is a social insurance program that is administered by the United States government. It provides hospital care and long term, as well as regular doctor's visits and prescription drugs. This low-income health insurance coverage is available to people ages 65 and over.
9. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program - This program allows low-income, uninsured and underserved women to gain access to screening programs for early detection of breast and cervical cancers. The program includes access to mammograms and Pap tests.
10. National HIV Testing Resources - If you are looking for information on HIV testing, as well as resources for those who have already tested positive, this site could connect you to some great information.
11. Pregnancy Care for the Disadvantaged - This site provides access to programs around the country that assist women who are pregnant and financially disadvantaged. Some programs might include those for medical care, advice and details about low-income health insurance for you and your baby after birth.
12. State and Local Health Departments - This site gives you access to a detailed list of state public health agencies, as well as additional links to local public health services.

If you are truly in a bind and need help paying for health care coverage, it's good idea to begin your research to find affordable options in your area. It's tough to pay for health costs you can't afford, but even more difficult to learn that there were options available to assist after you've already over-extended yourself financially.

For more information on finding affordable health insurance, visit Go Insurance Rates for free health quotes.

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