Disability insurance is often overlooked by the young, healthy adult. It often doesn't make sense to invest in a disability policy when a budget is already stretched to the limit. Unfortunately, disability insurance can only be purchased if a person is in good health and not when they are fighting a potentially disabling disease.

Private disability insurance payments do not affect social security disability payments.

If a private disability policy is purchased and in effect when a person becomes disabled, private disability payments will be paid in addition to any social security disability benefits that the disabled person may be entitled to.

This is significant because social security disability payments will be pretty low and many people will find that a huge change in standard of living will occur. Some private disability policies will pay the insured double SSDI amounts, giving the disabled a total payment that they can comfortably live on.

Disability insurance is not often available to those with certain pre-existing conditions.

Insurance companies are a for profit business and it is smart business not to insure people who are at risk of getting sick in the near future. People with potential pre-existing conditions should consider applying for disability insurance before it is too late. Although it may stretch a budget, purchasing disability insurance when young and healthy is a wise investment for the future.

Federal and state programs will pay slightly more than half the tab for health care purchased in the United States by 2012, says a report by Medicare number crunchers released Thursday.

WASHINGTON -- For all the hue and cry over a government takeover of health care, it's happening anyway.

Federal and state programs will pay slightly more than half the tab for health care purchased in the United States by 2012, says a report by Medicare number crunchers released Thursday. Read more from FOX NEWS HERE.

I am not a politically active person. I am learning about health care reform after being inspired by a family friend who has become critically ill and is struggling with health insurance issues. I do not understand why people are so against the government "taking over" and providing a government sponsored health insurance option.

Why are so many Americans upset that the government is trying to establish a public health insurance option? Can someone please explain it to me?

Health coverage right now is up to the individual unless they meet federal poverty guidelines or have certain disabilities. We are already paying a big portion of our incomes to health insurance and health related costs, why not have these costs regulated?

Maybe I'm in the minority and this is the reason health care reform is having such a hard time getting off the ground. Ask any wealthy but critically ill person and they will tell you that money means nothing if you don't have health. Why aren't we investing more into our national health care system?

Unemployment is reaching historical highs. With an unemployment rate of close to 10% in many state, the lack of jobs in the United States continues to perpetuate the recession.

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Unemployment Does Not Cover Health Insurance

If you are on unemployment, you do not automatically qualify for health insurance discounts. In fact, if you receive more unemployment than 133% of the federal poverty level, you don't qualify at all. Where does this leave you, the newly unemployed?

Unemployed and Uninsured

Unless you can afford monthly COBRA payments, you will find yourself quickly uninsured. If you live in Massachusetts, where health insurance is mandatory, you will have to find a way to make your COBRA payments or face a significant tax penalty.

Reduced COBRA Payments are Available

If you meet certain criteria, you may qualify for reduced COBRA payments. Under the ARRA, or the American Recovery and Reinvestment act of 2009, individuals are eligible for a reduced COBRA payment if they are involuntarily terminated from their job. This would result in a payment of 35% of the COBRA premium instead of 100%. Only people fired between September 1, 2008 and February 28, 2010 qualify for this reduced COBRA payment. The reduction can last for a period up to 15 months, but may require extensive paperwork to be approved.