Young Americans and Health Insurance Reform
Posted by cloe on September 23, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Last week, President Obama held a rally for health insurance reform at the University of Maryland in College Park. About 15,000 people were in the crowd – including thousands of students. Here’s an excerpt from his remarks:
“…Health care is about more than the details of a policy. It’s about what kind of country you want to be. Young people, it's about what kind of country you want to be. We are the only nation on Earth that leaves millions of people without health insurance. We spend more than any country on Earth, and we're not any healthier for it. So this is about what kind of country you want your children to grow up in.
“A lot of you here today and a lot of young people across the country gave your time and your effort to this campaign because you believed that America can still do great things. You believed that in this country, we don't fear the future; we shape the future. We don't feed on division and anger; we feed on hope and possibility. That's what America is about. That's what we're called to affirm right now…”
The President talked about his plan for reform and specifically addressed how it will help young adults.
A few key facts:
-- Americans between the ages of 19 and 29 have the highest uninsured rate of any age group. Nearly one-third (30 percent) of 19 to 29 year olds are uninsured, compared to 17 percent of older adults. (Many young adults who have insurance through their parents’ plans lose it when they turn 19.)
-- Young women are particularly affected. Because of current laws, insurance companies in 33 states are allowed to charge higher premiums the basis of gender. Consequently, they can charge a 22 year old woman 1.5 times more than a 22 year old man.
-- Many 20-somethings have jobs that don’t offer health benefits, either because they hold part-time jobs or work for small businesses, which in recent years, have been having a harder time providing their employees with coverage. Since 2006, young adults working for small businesses have lost their insurance at twice the rate of older workers.
-- Young Americans can’t afford the high costs of health care -- two-thirds of young adults who’ve gone without coverage said they went without needed health care because of cost, and a quarter of all young adults are paying off medical debt.
How Will President Obama's Plan Help Young Americans?
-- Young adults will be allowed to stay on their parents’ health care plan through the age of 26.
-- It would create a health insurance exchange which will ensure that young adults (who aren’t covered by their parents’ plans) always have access to affordable, quality coverage, whether they change jobs, move, or hold part-time or temporary jobs.
-- It will be against the law for insurance companies to deny coverage based on a preexisting condition or charge you more because of your gender.
-- It will limit the amount an insurance company can charge for out-of-pocket expenses, co-pays and deductibles and it will require insurance companies to cover – without charge – preventive care, so things like doctor’s checkups are free.
Comments (5) «
The reason nobody trusts this party on security is because the party is unwilling to stand up for fundamental principles, such as the public option.
When the party loses its majority in the house and senate, it will be because of the terrible weakness that allowed the GOP + Lieberman to be a 35 percent majority.
Time and time again, the GOP has shown that Obama won't stand up for his allies, and the ACORN lies are the latest case.
The Democratic party stands for nothing because every fundamental ideal is subject to negotiation.
Sellouts.
AGOLD, No, it is because of the very diverse membership of Democratic leaders, including those Conservative Blue Dogs which Rahm Emmanual thought were better to have, than to have a Republican. (I am unsure) You are correct that our majority is much less than numbers show, because of this group . Lieberman is a prime example, and has been even when he called himself a Democrat.
There are a few things he calls himself a Democrat on, but the MAIN issues, like catering to and supporting Corporations over the people he is a True Republican. He is considering running as a Republican in 2012, because he knows he cannot win again on a Democratic ticket, and he screwed up big time on his Lieberman For CT party and cannot run again on that.
Chalk up the effectiveness of the Republican Think Tanks, Institues, media ----they are better than our's. WIN AT ANY COST. No matter how far down they must go, stay united and circle the wagsons and keep saying NO.
Democrats try to hard to be NICE. They think this will win votes, but it comes across as weak, not nice.
I think that the timing is right, if played properly. Assuming we soon have a bill put together by democrats that clearly insures all Americans have health insurance, and elimintes the pre-existing conditions, dropping when sick, and some other protections, I seriously doubt that many are going to dare vote against it.
Therefore, I believe the dems should put together what they want, and simply challenge any senator to not support it when it comes time to actually vote for or against the bill, or prevent it from coming to a vote.
That would create a lot of angry, uninsured voters, and anger is a great motivating force for voters.
If the Democrats dont get FULLY behind the Public option and do what they promised to do when they were elected then we WILL find others that will.
Its time to find our voices again since it appears the media is mainly interested in showing the crazy people bringing guns to presidential events and screaming lies over reason.
When only two words yelled out by a liar are the only focus of the media rather than an incredibly thought-provoking and important address to our congress and nation we have a problem.
Go back and listen to what OBAMA said during that speech. Who is truly showing leadership and looking out for you? Who is truly looking out for YOU -- what is truly going to be better for you? Then just choose what you want. Thats what the Public Option IS... it puts the power of choice in the peoples hands. Its up to each and every American to make his/her OWN choice about whats best for their family! GIVE US THIS CHOICE... GIVE US THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE for OUSELVES!
Is it wrong to have an OPTION to CHOOSE what is right for you? If you want it you can have it whether its what you currently have or not. Let people be free to choose what they want. Dont stand in the way of someone else's choice. Dont stand in the way of someone else's FREEDOM.
Call your Congress person and fight for an American Public Option - and find your voice any way you can.
Liberal groups have already targeted conservative Democrats who oppose the public option and other Obama initiatives and clear others groups will join forces with each other
We need even more political participation from people who realize that they can’t just sit it out. They can't straddle the fence.
We should call for a cancellation of Congress's health care until they resolve this. After all they are enjoying what they want to deny us and that is health care with a public option. they enjoy only having to pay %55.00 per month for basic health care. And it is GOVERNMENT RUN, which is what they are against for the rest of the USA.
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