While it's been common sense news for years now, two independent studies released by Harvard Medical School and the American Cancer Society this month have proven that those people who don't have, or can't afford, medical insurance coverage are far more likely to die of disease than those who do have it.

As it's reported at the Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, "uninsured people suffer significantly worse outcomes from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer than those who have coverage." And with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer topping the list when it comes to the diseases that kill Americans, not having medical insurance coverage could be downright dangerous.

But what should be done for those who can't afford insurance? After all, health insurance premiums have grown three times faster than the rate of inflation for the last 15 years. Employers can no longer afford to offer medical insurance coverage to many employees, let alone their families. And, for an average family to pay for family health insurance all year long, they're looking at losing 1/3 of their yearly income.

Now it's time for the other common sense news to make it big: everyone needs access to some kind of health insurance in this country.

In the mean time, those searching for insurance should remember to look for a plan that offers yearly checkups, and to attend those checkups like clockwork. Regular visits to the doctor have been proven to reduce the incidences of disease drastically, saving lives and minimizing the dangers of medical debt at the same time.