Medical insurance coverage, every American should be entitled to it; however, that's not how it is. There are millions of Americans who don't have health insurance simply due to the fact that they cannot afford to purchase a plan. Health insurance is expensive, and if you don't have a job as a result of the current economy, your odds of obtaining affordable medical coverage are slim to none.

Health insurance is something everyone one should make a point of having at all times. It is a form of protection incase something should go wrong health wise and if you have a family with children, the threat of this happening triples. We just never know when something will strike us and it is imperative to be protected if it does.

So as an unemployed person with a family, how do you afford medical coverage? There are options such as COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) but this option is so expensive that most people cannot afford to take on this coverage.

There are other options besides COBRA, one being Short Term Medical insurance. This is a great alternative to COBRA and a perfect fit for the family on a budget. In its simplest form, this health insurance is rented out to you for a short period of time. The time frame is usually 6 months with an option to renew at the end of the term.

Short Term Medical insurance policies are more affordable to the unemployed and families that are struggling in the current economy. Insurance companies know that circumstances happen and this is their way of trying to help the rising costs we all face. The cost of the policies are often more affordable because of the short-term feature they offer.

There are some downsides to this coverage as it may run out during treatment for a medical condition you developed during the term of the policy. In that case, you could opt to renew as long as you don't let the policy lapse between and getting sick during that time. If this happens, most insurance companies won't renew the policy since the condition may be considered pre-existing.

There are also tons of loopholes. Some conditions may not even be covered on the short-term plan coverage. It is important to read all of the literature on the policy before deciding to go with this plan.

If this option sounds a little too scary for you, you could always go with private health insurance. This is a more secure option, as it will never run out as long as the premiums are being paid. You will need to take into consideration these premiums and what the plan covers. Health insurance is mainly for the big medical issues we face in life, so having to pay co-pays and prescriptions costs shouldn't be your basis in choosing an affordable health care policy.

The downsides of not having insurance are just too huge to ignore. You need to have insurance to protect you and your family from whatever may come. Be wise and choose the affordable coverage that is right for your family and rest assured that you will be in good hands should an emergency arise.