Update: Young Adults Rally for Healthcare

September 16, 2009, the Senate Finance Committe released its version of the healthcare reform bill...without the public option. Democrats and Republicans have taken opposing sides in receiving the bill and it has stirred up much controversy in regard to top issues such as coverage of illegal immigrants and affordability. Amidst all of the confusion among Liberals and Conservatives of the US Congress and Senate, the President chose to approach an audience of young adults to make his case.

In a rally at the University of Maryland on September 17, 2009, he encouraged a sea of young faces to “take the high road”. He makes a case that passing this healthcare legislation would be one of the most defining moments in US history. President Obama recognizes the importance of the support of this crowd, ages 18-29, who are among the most prevalent in the group of uninsured Americans.

“When you’re young, I know that this isn’t always an issue that you have at the top of your mind. You think you’re invincible. That’s how I thought,” said the President.

There are a number of young adults who have not thought about health insurance options that they have once they are released from under the umbrella of their parents’ healthcare insurance plans. Some will be faced with life or death dilemmas upon realizing that pre-existing conditions will place a hindrance on obtaining coverage once they are of age to find their own.

Tuesday’s DC town hall meeting with Congresswoman Norton brought this issue to the forefront. DC residents, Jennifer Abbot and Arielle Fleisher, expressed concern to Congresswoman Norton about their conditions. As of now when they reach the age of 21, they are no longer eligible to receive their healthcare options. Jennifer, who has suffered from severe asthma from childhood and Arielle, who was diagnosed with cancer as a child are both unqualified for most healthcare plans because of their pre-existing conditions.

This simply means that they will have to come out of pocket for routine doctor visits and maintenance services/medications. Many young adults, including these two representatives of the group, are not able to afford such costs. What are their options?

The President addresses this problem saying that under the new healthcare reform legislation, young adults would be allowed to stay on their parents’ insurance plans longer and stands by the fact that healthcare will be provided for every American despite pre-existing conditions.

"More than one-third of all young adults have trouble paying their medical debts,"President Obama says. "In the United States, nobody should go broke because they get sick."

The rally was attended by more than 10,000 people and while the President was met with approval and support for the most part, the crowd was not free of disagreement and heckling. President Obama meets the nation’s criticism with poise.

“I know there are doubts that creep into people’s minds. I know that during tough times, I know there is a tendency to get mad, get angry but we take the high road,” he said. “That’s how Americans are.”

Where Do You Stand?

Where do you stand on the issue of healthcare reform? What are your ideas and how do you stand on the creation of a universal healthcare system that mandates every citizen to obtain healthcare coverage?

Young America makes up 30% of the nation's uninsured in the country. This group is the target of a proposed system that aims to provide healthcare to those who need it but are not afforded the luxury. You are the last ones to think about being covered, but the first ones to fall victim to accidents involving drunk drivers and driver inattention (text messaging, talking on cell phones, etc). Why shouldn't your voices be heard in this matter?

Today, September 9, 2009, President Barack Obama will present a speech on Healthcare Reform to the American public. The speech is expected to address different issues pertaining to his platiform on government-regulated healthcare.

Dating back to Barack Obama's campaign of 2008, he has always maintained his ideals regarding universal healthcare in America. After over 200 days into his presidency, Obama is now presenting a "Public Option" platform that will provide insurance to all those possessing citizenship in America.

Under this proposal, those who are not insured will be mandated to obtain coverage either privately or under the government's universal umbrella. Some Americans fear that the government is making steps to become more and more intrusive and so are not inclined to support such a proposal.

Many wonder whether he will compromise with Republicans who, in majority, strongly oppose this platform. Compromising will undoubtedly upset Liberals who, in part, support the President's "public option" stance or the option to create non-profit insurance cooperatives.

Obama has expressed that he would like the "Public Option" platform to be a bi-partisan effort. However with such strong opposition from the Republican Party, Democrats believe that there is little chance of the two parties meeting each other half-way on this issue. The question will be whether the President will seek compromise or if he will place the task of creating an entire new healthcare reform system on the Democratic party leaving angry Republican nay-sayers in their wake.

As young adults who will be directly affected by such a universal reform system, the challenge is to watch this speech carefully. The charge for this generation is to pay attention and to dissect every word that will pointedly affect their immediate future. The general societal fear is that apathy and complacency is settling in over your heads.

Voting in favor of this historic presidential figure was only the beginning. Positions must be taken up in the issues that he stands for. The challenge, now, is to promote the change that America was promised, in whatever capacity that might be achieved.