Last year I was diagnosed with ameloblastoma, which is a rare, locally aggressive tumor found in the jaw.  As a result, I needed to have the left side of my lower jaw removed.  A few weeks ago, I had surgery to reconstruct my mandible using a combination of a cadaver bone and bone from my hip.  Fortunately, I have health insurance and had to pay just a $250 deductible and another $100 copay for tests.  Of course, I said "fortunately," but there's really no good luck involved, just work and proper planning.

     Like most people, I work full-time and I receive health insurance from my employer.  I contribute 50%, and my employer pays the other half.  As you can imagine, my 50% contribution results in me "losing" a significant portion of my earnings.  It would be nice to just pocket that money, but what if some other health problem occurs down the road?  In my opinion, health insurance is my most important expense, and I can't see myself letting it go.  Sure, I could use that money for other things, but would they be any where near as important?

     I've had lots of people tell me they can't afford health insurance, yet they have a very nice cell phone (and expensive plan), a nice car, buy lots of clothes and jewelry, go on vacations, etc.  They say they can't afford health insurance, but many of them can.  It isn't a problem of finances, it's a problem of priorities.  Most people would agree that health insurance is important, but it certainly isn't fun.  People want a nice car, the latest gadgets, or eye-catching jewelry.  They don't see the value of having the protection and piece of mind afforded by insurance.  They're not thinking with a "what if" state of mind.

     Obviously, this doesn't apply to everyone.  Some people are living day-to-day and don't indulge in luxuries.  The purpose is to bring up this point so that the next time someone tells you they "can't afford" health insurance, you can tell them they can't prioritize.  They might tell you that it's none of your business, but if Obamacare passes, it certainly will be.  You'll be paying for it.