The plight of young Americans uninsured

 

Tuesday, Mar 10,2009, 1:05:53 PM   Click:

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7 March 2009 Saturday 9:02 pm EST

SECTION: POLICIES

LENGTH: 500 words


TITLE: The plight of young Americans uninsured

Signature: Kate Bolduan From CNN



They are generally healthy and have a long life ahead of them. The industry of health insurance, even called "Young Invincibles".

So what's the problem? Young adults, ages 19 to 29, are the largest age group of uninsured people across the country.

For residents of Maryland Bree Honey, all she can do for his chronic back pain today is to exercise at the gym where she works Tylenol PM and take the place of other drugs it need.

"I'm definitely right to work, trying to keep my strength and to help my immune system yet. ... This is the best thing I can do for myself," said Honey.

Why? It must put its money on medication for his depression - without health insurance.

"I am my own purchase of medicines prescribed by myself. ... And I have to pay for it out of pocket each month. It is very difficult for me," she says.

At 20, she is too old to be covered by their parents, the policy since it is no longer in school. It is too much to qualify for public health care but can not afford private insurance - and still not be covered in his new job.

"I am a struggling student out of college, trying to make my way. And I can not - I have no money now for insurance," Honey said. "If there is a sense that the government could me, or everyone, is a minimum coverage ... I would even pay for it out of my taxes if I had to do. "

Many other 20-somethings at the beginning of their careers do not have jobs that offer health benefits.

"Only about half of all young adults who work are available through the coverage of an employer, compared to about 75 percent of adults that are offered through the coverage of an employer, more than 30 years, "said Sara Collins impartiality of group health care, the Commonwealth Fund.

And it is a common problem. According to the latest date from the Census Bureau in 2007, an estimated 13.2 million uninsured young adults. This is the fastest growing group of the 46 million Americans uninsured today.

Other levels of uninsured, according to the data:

Children under 19: 11 percent

Age 30-35: 23 percent

Age 36-49: 17 percent

Age 50-64: 13 percent.

Reduce the number of uninsured young adults is a priority for President Obama.

"The health care reform is no longer just a moral imperative, it is an imperative for the year," said Obama at a health summit at the White House last week.

But what can young people do? Collins explains first check with your country: About 25 percent of age dependency.

"New Jersey extended the age of eligibility at the age of 30 years, most states are clustered around more than about age 24 ... It is therefore of great assistance to young adults who had parents in their coverage of health insurance and lose that coverage, "Collins said.

As for Bree honey, it will just keep working and hope for the best. But it is never far from his mind.

"I am attached. I feel that I am almost like a prisoner in my apartment yet. I can not get sick. I have to worry if I'm going wrong, "she says.

LOAD-DATE: March 8 2009

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