With roughly one-third of Americans ages 20 to 30 without health insurance, young adults make up the largest uninsured population in the country. Liberals say we need health reform for the sake of all the “uninsured children and elderly,” but the facts are that less than 3% of those over the age of 65 and only 10% of children under the age of 18 are uninsured – and the vast majority of them are eligible for Medicaid and Medicare but simply not enrolled.
The harsh reality of Obama’s proposal for health reform is that it will have the most direct and detrimental effect on young adults. The legislation passed by the House last Saturday essentially shifts the cost burden of health insurance to young Americans in their 20s. Many healthy young people, who on average make less money than older workers, choose not to purchase health insurance, sometimes because they feel their funds are better spent elsewhere. Instituting an individual mandate not only strips young Americans of their right to choose how to spend their hard-earned income, but also forces them to foot the bill for their parents’ and grandparents’ health care. So while seniors’ health insurance premiums may be cut in half, many young adults will see their premiums double through this age-based redistribution of wealth.
As noted in a recent briefing paper from the CATO Institute, two provisions of the health care reform proposal place particular burden on young adults: community rating and guaranteed issue. A form of price control, community rating means everyone pays the same premium. The cost is determined by the average qualities in the community rather than the individual’s demographic, previous health records, smoking status, and other related aspects. In the Pelosi bill (H.R. 3962), a 64 year old with several chronic conditions would pay no more than twice what a healthy 18 year old would pay – and a smoker who likes to binge drink would pay no more than a fitness guru. With guaranteed issue, eliminating the pre-existing condition exclusion removes all barriers to entry. Regardless of physical condition, everyone has access to the same health insurance coverage at about the same price.
Leaving the merits of these provisions in the overall health care reform debate to other authors, it is important to note their negative impact on young adults. By setting price controls on insurance premiums and dropping the pre-existing condition exclusion rule, forcing an individual mandate establishes excessive taxation of the young to financially support the old. What an unfortunate way for the President to treat the generation who was so instrumental in his election.
It comes as no surprise, then, that President Obama’s approval ratings have fallen significantly among young Americans since his election and inauguration. In January, the President’s approval rating among those under 30 was 79%. By November that number had fallen to 63%, a dramatic 16-point plunge among President Obama’s strongest supporters.
So what will the future hold for America’s youngest generation of voters? If last week’s two gubernatorial elections were any indicator, the future might not be so blue. The youth vote split, in New Jersey breaking for the Democrat and in Virginia actually going to Republican Governor-elect Bob McDonnell.
Obama’s “rob the young to pay the old” policies offer the GOP a real opportunity to reach out to young Americans. The House vote on H.R. 3962 last weekend places a heavy burden on this generation. The question is, will the weight of this burden push these voters to the Republican Party?
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Brittny McKinney and Rachel Hoff are GOP activists and members of the Washington, DC Young Republicans. Brittny is a licensed agent for life and health insurance.
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I am encouraged by your position as young adults who are standing out in the crowd. Continue to raise your voice & never, never give up!
Your message is right on. If they are listening, then they need to make some quick adjustments. If they are not, the message will be clear in next year’s elections!!!
Wally Hoff
I am a 66 year old woman who cannot afford to pay for Medicare because my only income is my Social Security Retirement Income of $1299 per month is too much to get Medicade to pay my cost of Medicare which is over $300 per month — so if Obama’s new program is higher — It will be out of my reach forever
Ms Kit Collings, you are 100% correct. I hope all seniors over 65 are listening. The New Health care passed by the Congress this month has a very grave consequences for all Seniors and young Americans 18 to 30 years old. $500 Billion dollars cut on Medicare, and fine or jail to any Americans who choose not to buy their Health care. Also an assaults to all WOMEN who are not allowed to have mammogram until they reach at the age of 50.
Here is a recap: 1) Fine or Jail time to those who choose not to buy their own Health care 2). $500 Billion dollars cut on Medicare, that means the “DEATH PANEL FOR SENIORS” is imminent, and 3). No mammograms for all women below 50 years old. Adios.
Abe
I agree with both Kit and Abe, but how do we stop this train. Reid and Pelosi both are using our taxes to buy votes to pass this thing. It is reported that Reid gave one Senator a $100 million for her vote. Really, I don’t know how these people can go home and look in the mirror each night.
The only way I know is for the Republicans to take control of either the House or the Senate. All of you who live in district that McCain carried yet a Democrat was elected need to turn out in masses in 2010.
Looks like the young set is learning what it is to be communist. Everyone is “equal”. regardless of their circumstance i.e. worker or not.
I think we need to look very closely at the “pre-existing condition” idea. There are many medical conditions that did not occur due to a person’s careless or deliberate destructive activity. Endometriosis. My mother had it, and cured it with a hysterectomy. My sister had it. Would you say I would have to pay more because it runs in my family? I never had it. But my daughter does. And what about epilepsy? What about all the premies we hope will survive? Should young women pay more because they may get pregnant and have a premature delivery? Should young men pay more because they could someday impregnate a woman who has a child who may have birth defects?
If it is an issue of affordability, we must not burden those least able to afford it. There are needy people in every demographic. Blanket policy will hurt someone. I can drive my car carelessly and be called a high risk. When I was born no one had any clue of how healthy I would be throughout my life.
How does compassion and generosity play into these decisions?
“When we don’t get what we deserve that’s a real good thing.
When we get what we don’t deserve that’s a real good thing.”
-The New Boys
The funny thing is that “the evil corporations, man!” are going to be the health insurance companies benefitting the most from this either in the form of forcing people to buy a policy or from outright government handouts to cover people. At least I’ll have this tiny morsel of amusement to balance out the flood of money leaving my paycheck every month.
Now this article is really one of the best Ive read on this exellent topic. I agree with your views and am looking forward to your new posts. I’m grabbing your rss feed to stay informed of any updates.