Many times we think that the price of a health insurance plan that we end up paying is dictated by the insurers. Then we wonder why health insurance is not affordable for us or our families. Yet, sometimes we fail to realize that knowledge about the local and state laws governing the health insurance industry can help making our family or individual plan more affordable.

Consumer Reports, in a story published in 2008, talks about six tips for buying an individual health insurance plan and lists knowledge of laws as the first.

One of them is to know the the local health insurance laws as well as the state laws. The second is again about the legal knowledge. One needs to be careful when changing jobs and going from employment-based health insurance plan to an individual plan. The third is to research your market and make decision only after finding at least three quotes.

Many feel that the insurance companies themselves are making too much money and taking advantage of policyholders and employers. Most health insurance companies are actually working with a less than 4% profit margin. Competition is high and all costs are continually climbing.

The fourth and fifth relate to benefits and premiums. Sometimes, what appears an affordable health insurance plan may not have adequate benefits. The point is that one needs to look beyond premiums and cost. Reading the fine print and understanding what is really covered is of utmost importance. Also understand the cost of co-payments and what types of visits are covered.

The last tip is to keep looking. Many people can't pass certain types of health insurance underwriting. However, 34 states have special high risk pools for that purpose. Therefore, you may be eligible for a special type of insurance that you don't know of. Therefore, continuity of research on this matter may help one finding the most affordable health insurance plan with the best types of benefits.

This battle of how to fix the health care and insurance system also reflects a generation gap: the public option is supported by almost 70% of people under the age of 45, but only 49% of those over age 65. There are several possible explanations for this, including the fact that more younger people tend to be uninsured (as opposed to senior citizens, who already have Medicare) and that the younger demographic is more liberal-leaning in general. Regardless of what Congress decides to do with health care reform, it will spark much debate among their constituents.

Does this mean that a public option in the health care reform bill is guaranteed? First, Senate and House of Representatives committees have to meld their bills together in order to submit a uniform bill to both chambers of Congress. While the House is relatively open to the public option, it's very unlikely that the Senate will allow any health insurance reform bill including it to pass. The Democrats have a razor-thin majority in the Senate, barely enough to pass any reform bill. Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, the only Republican who has voted in favor of healthcare reform, will almost certainly oppose a government-run health insurance option, while several conservative Democrats have also expressed their misgivings. While Obama would definitely sign a bill with the public option included, it's unclear if he would settle for reform without a Medicare For All-style program. Bon Jovi Tickets Discount : pci standards: