http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-healthcare-young-adults,0,419054.story
The LA Times
September 22, 2011
Dear Editor:
Yesterday, you featured Noem Levey's article “Coverage rises as young adults take advantage of Obama health law.” This is timely with recent evaluations of Obama’s health care policy reform by Republican presidential candidates.
As a student soon-to-be graduating and entering a problematic job market, I speak for the other one-million young adults that extended their health coverage when I express my gratitude for the 2010 health law. Young adults are more likely to go without health insurance than any other age group (27.2% of the young adult population is uninsured). With Obama’s policy amends, my believed “young and invincible” generation has gained access to insurance so often forgone, instead of gambling the incurrence of medical bills.
While universal coverage seems to be a far off reality, our nation needs to continue to make these small steps towards greater health outcomes and less disparity in both the private and public sector. For example, in the public sector, by easing eligibility requirements for Medicaid, more of our nation’s uninsured could reap the benefits of health insurance. This would lead to increased national productivity, increased access to medical services, and more recommended preventative care to lessen avoidable hospitalization—all beneficial and potentially stimulating for our economy.
I do understand that Republicans are targeting this effort, claiming that our nation’s young adults are not the population at highest risk. They argue that insurance should first be extended to help working poor families, the unemployed and ineligible. But, that being said, we have to start somewhere. Why not here?
Best,
Shannon Hamilton
[Shannon.hamilton@berkeley.edu]
(Character count limit: 1400)
dear Shannon:
ReplyDeleteI really liked your letter. You address a public health policy topic and present fresh facts AND a unique perspective.
You used things you have learned in the class to explain your arguments and I really appreciated that!
S
Dear Shannon:
ReplyDeleteWhat you have said is the concern of many students and young adults such as me who have experienced living and getting hospitalized without insurance. I too, had my doubts about the bill, and while I understand than many of its provisions are far from perfect, at least our government has attempted to address its broken system. I think that goes to say that if we as a generation can distinguish health care as a right as oppose to a commodity, we will certainly have fewer problems than the previous generation. The Obama administration is just beginning the preparation work!
Best,
Kajal Shahali