By James Wright | SACOBSERVER.COM WIRE SERVICES

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - When Bre Lucas decided to change employers to get more money and more leave time, she jumped at it. She thought it was a chance to improve her lifestyle and to be able to spend more time with her two young sons.

So when Lucas, a contract, non-union security guard with Abacus Security, went over to Leonard Security, she thought that the benefits package was comprehensive. When she put her name on the dotted line two months ago, she was set to work at Northern Virginia Hospital's mental health facility in Falls Church and do what was necessary to be a good employee.

However, she discovered earlier this year that something was missing.

''When I realized that I had no health insurance, I was very upset,'' she said. ''The people at Leonard Security told us that we would be getting a better benefits package than what we had at Abacus and, of course, I went with the money. But I didn't realize that I was losing my health insurance. If I knew I was losing my health insurance, I might not have left Abacus.''

Lucas, 30, is an example of millions of Americans who are working at jobs without health insurance. More than 42 million Americans are believed to be without health insurance, many holding full-time jobs.

Jill Jones, a Leonard Security branch manager, confirmed Lucas’ account.

''That is true, we do not offer health insurance as a company, but we do offer it as a supplement with AFLAC,'' Jones said. ''This was made very clear to the people from Abacus who came to us. When she left Abacus, she left her health insurance behind.”

As the cost of health care escalates, many small businesses are either making employees pay more or they are cutting it out altogether. It is common for new employees of a company, especially if they are contract employees such as Lucas, to be left out in terms of health insurance.

Henry Aaron, a health care expert at the Brookings Institute, said that Lucas's situation is becoming more common.

''Fully a third of employees, mostly in small companies, do not have insurance,'' Aaron said. ''Alas, the fraction of employed workers with coverage is falling.''

Lucas said that when she talked to the president of Leonard Security, Scott Leonard, he told her that he made a business decision.

''He told me that he needed to get the contract with the hospital and one of the things he negotiated away was employee's health insurance,'' Lucas said. ''He said that taking away health insurance lowered the cost and therefore he was able to get the hospital as a client. He also said that health insurance cuts into his profit and 'he did not want to do that anymore.'''

Jones said that Lucas should be happy with the package.

''I don't see what the problem is,'' Jones said. ''She is getting more money and those days off. She did not have that at Abacus. Bre was not forced to come with us. She could have stayed with Abacus.''

Costs have become the predominant factor in health insurance coverage, Aaron said.

''Some employees decline coverage because they are myopic and don't appreciate its importance,'' he said. ''Many take coverage for themselves, but not for dependents, usually for reasons of costs, but sometimes less defensible motives. Contract employees usually do not get benefits of any kind; that is one reason why companies hire people on contract rather than regular employees.''

Lucas's children are covered by the Prince George's County health system, she said.

''My kids are fine, but what about me?'' she said.

Jones said that Lucas could still qualify for a COBRA, which is a bridge health insurance plan for people who leave companies that offered it, but they have to pay higher premiums. Lucas said that she looked into that and said it costs too much.

''Aetna said that I would have to pay $430 a month and they would have to get their money on the first of the month or coverage would be stopped,'' she said. ''That is too much. I used to pay $116 a month at Abacus for me and my kids. Why can't I have something like that?''

Cheryl Camillo, the executive director of the Office of Eligibility Services at the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, said that a case like Lucas has options, but they are limited.

''We can offer uninsured employees and their families Medicaid but right now they would have to make below $250 a month,'' Camillo said. ''The good news is that as of July 1, people with higher incomes, making $1,467 a month, will be eligible for the complete Medicaid benefit package.''

Camillo said that people in Lucas's situation should look into the state's PAC (Primary Adult Care) program.

''This is a limited package but it is only for adults and, as of March 1, one can qualify if they make below $1,470 per month and have assets below $6,000,'' she said.

Coverage for Lucas is at a point where it is becoming critical. During the Feb. 12 ice storm, she slipped and fell down on five stairs.

While her leg was not broken, it was scraped. She took the situation in stride, saying, ''I guess until I find some type of solution to not having health care, I will just have to heal myself.''

This story comes special to NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers.