Better Information Retention

 

 Criticism of Insurance

The advantages of insurance are clear. When you purchase a policy, you know that you will be covered against catastrophic events like a fire or car accident. These plans can provide the peace of mind to make decisions with confidence, knowing what to expect if something goes wrong.

But there is much criticism as well, including the high cost and limited options for those with pre-existing conditions or limited income. Insurance has also proven difficult to regulate in terms of costs across different geographical areas and age ranges, leaving those who do not have the means to pay for coverage at risk when they need it most.

There are also possible health hazards, as people who have coverage may be less likely to avoid risky behavior that could put them in harm's way. Critics of insurance also argue that the practice allows companies to profit off of vulnerable consumers.

Still, insurance can provide a sense of security that many people want, and it is an important part of modern society. When evaluating its merits, it is important to understand the many factors at play in order to make the best decision for your situation. [ARTICLE END] - The Editorial Board

The Editorial Board published this article on January 20, 2013. It was written by students in an AP Language and Composition course at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, WA. The students in the class were asked to evaluate several articles on a variety of topics — from child welfare to gay marriage — and to offer solutions for some of the problems discussed.

The student who wrote this article, Victoria, said she was interested in finding new ways to improve health care insurance for people with pre-existing conditions. She researched several articles on the subject and crafted her own article as well. You can follow her on Twitter, @Victoria__C_.

A version of this piece originally ran in Teen Ink magazine . Are you a teen with something to say? Do you have a passion or voice that needs an outlet? Contact us at editors@teenink.com.

Publication date: March 31, 2013

Source: The Huffington Post , "Maternal Embryo Donation Troubles" by Nick Wing and Matthew Di Leo

Author: Nick Wing, PhD, MSc, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the NYU College of Medicine. Matthew Di Leo, MD is an associate professor of surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. He is also a member of United Reproductive Network. "Maternal Embryo Donation Troubles" by Nick Wing and Matthew Di LeoThe Huffington PostApril 1, 2013Nick Wing, PhD, MSc, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the NYU College of Medicine. Matthew Di Leo, MD is an associate professor of surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. He is also a member of United Reproductive Network.

Many people still try to find technical ways to circumvent the health care reform law that has been in effect for less than two years. The new law has caused many worried consumers to look for ways around it and put themselves in potential legal jeopardy, but they are simply looking to save money.

An article published by Amanda Innis on Feb. 1, 2013 featured an interview with Jennifer Welter about her "Embryo Buyers Club. ... The service, which is legal despite its name, costs $10,000 and consists of buying and freezing embryos from couples who are having difficulty conceiving a child." By entering into this contract, the buyer receives embryo rights as well. The rights "allow them to receive updates about the child until it turns 21."

It is important to note that the embryos used in the Embryo Buyers Club would not have been used otherwise. With medical advances in recent years, many couples are able to conceive without assistance. This means there are many leftover embryos available for use for research or donation.

In addition to purchasing embryos, the buyers are also able to access the original donors through private investigators. "When anyone — for instance a 69-year-old man or a woman in her mid-30s — dies without a will, their spouse and children have first dibs on what is left," Welter writes. "But an egg donor or surrogate can refuse the payout. So you can end up with an embryo who ends up with no one."

The result of this type of legislation is that couples who deplete their banks are left feeling frustrated. If they don't want to take money from donor recipients, they can choose to break the law and pay someone else for an embryo transfer. The Embryo Buyers Club is not illegal, but it does create a lot of problems that do not exist with other forms of assisted reproduction.

Welter told Innis that she started the Embryo Buyers Club "to help people achieve their dreams of parenthood. If I can make someone who says they're going to get a divorce stay married and sell an embryo for $10,000 and I can help them have a baby, I can save their marriage."

In addition, a company called Life Legal Defense Foundation offers legal services for those seeking to purchase embryos. However, this company appears to be extremely expensive . Their services run for $1,500. The website also supports the idea of embryo adoption and states that it is "for people who are interested in adopting embryos."

The health care reform law is not going away, but many people will continue to look for ways to avoid it. By freezing embryos and transferring them at a later time, couples can save thousands of dollars. However, this can lead to legal complications as well as ethical issues.

More information about the law's provisions can be found here . [ARTICLE END] - The Editorial Board

The Editorial Board published this article on April 2, 2013. It was written by students in an AP Language and Composition course at Nathan Hale High School in Seattle, WA. The students in the class were asked to evaluate several articles on a variety of topics — from child welfare to gay marriage — and to offer solutions for some of the problems discussed.

The student who wrote this article, Alexandra, said she had very little information when it came to health care reform and was interested in creating an article that would give people a better understanding of what it is. You can follow her on Twitter, @LittleAlexandra_.

A version of this piece originally ran in the Michigan State Daily . Are you a teen with something to say? Do you have a passion or voice that needs an outlet? Contact us at editors@teenink.com.

Conclusion:

Throughout this paper, I have attempted to outline the facts and various opinions surrounding the issue of embryos and embryonic stem cell research. While some may argue that the destruction of human embryos is against God's law, many others feel that it is most important to save lives.

One must consider who one sacrifices for what cause.