Fifty to 129 million Americans under age 65 have a preexisting health condition that can trigger health insurers to reject them or charge higher prices, according to a new analysis by the Department of Health and Human Services. The numbers are being disputed by Republicans. One-fifth to one-half is a large range.  

The smaller estimate is based on the number of Americans whose medical problems would make them eligible for high-risk pools. The researchers said they got the larger figure by adding in other ailments that major insurers consider a basis to charge customers higher prices or to exclude coverage for some of the care they need.  The report is part of the Obama administration's effort to convince the public of the advantages of the health reform the law, which contains insurance protections for people with preexisting medical conditions.

Regardless of the exact number, in this country, health care often does not reach those who need it the most because of preexisting conditions. End-stage renal disease is, after all, a stage that could have possibly been prevented for some if the early stages or causes had been treated. That is, if they aren't considered preexisting conditions.

Personally, I hate the term preexisting condition. It is a term I have dodged all of my adult life. I have taken college classes I don't need and held on to jobs I don't like to avoid it. And sometimes, when there are no loopholes to grasp, I have gone without insurance because I couldn't afford the price health insurers charge to ignore my preexisting condition. And not everyone without health insurance is an illegal immigrant, or on welfare. Many are citizens with jobs, like I was.

Being uninsured means not having a team of price negotiators on your side every time you go to the doctor, which means you are left to pay higher prices for doctor's visits and medicine. It means living in fear of getting sick or hurt because you might not be able to afford care, or the care might put you in debt for life. It means sometimes ignoring the early warning signs of sickness. It often means not having a primary care physician who can help in disease prevention.

I have health insurance now because I'm currently able to pay extra for the preexisting condition my health insurance doesn't cover anyhow. I'm lucky I don't have diabetes. But I get scared every time I go to the doctor, because there might be another preexisting condition lurking somewhere, some reason hidden in my body that an administrator later down the road will say makes me ineligible for health insurance.