| The health reform debate in Washington has been | | | | it does for it's youngest customers. The House bill |
| confusing and contentious. There are many | | | | even had only 2 times the amount. Sounds |
| theories floating around about why that is, but it | | | | reasonable, but there is a reason that this is not a |
| boils down to one central issue. There are no | | | | major talking point in defending the health reform |
| easy, everyone wins, answers in addressing the | | | | bill. The young and healthy will be paying more. |
| rising cost in health care. As a result, the | | | | Is this the right thing to do? Tough to say, good |
| American people have been fed a steady diet of | | | | arguments can be made for both sides. Why |
| concepts that are easy to understand, and half | | | | should we have our young adults paying more for |
| truths. Instead of debating the nuances of building | | | | health insurance that they most likely will not even |
| a better health delivery and payment system, the | | | | need? They have enough financial pressures. Low |
| choices are "government between you and your | | | | paying, entry level positions, school loans, and |
| doctor", or "heartless, greedy insurance companies | | | | maybe saving up to buy that first car or house. |
| leaving people to die". Case in point, the concept | | | | Access to health care is not the only factor in |
| of requiring all health plans to tighten the age | | | | good health. A young person's limited budget may |
| bands on insurance premiums. | | | | be better spent on fresh vegetables, fruit, or a |
| Insurance companies set premium rates based on | | | | gym membership. No question we all need health |
| risk. For instance, we all know how expensive | | | | coverage for that "what if", but how much should |
| auto insurance can be for a 16 year old boy. Put | | | | we expect a young person to spend on insurance |
| him into a brand new Ford Mustang, the premium | | | | to cover that "what if", when it most likely will be |
| climbs even higher. As that 16 year old gets older, | | | | a "never happened"? As it stands now, we have |
| holds a clean driving record, the price drops every | | | | young people forgoing insurance. Could we actually |
| year. Health insurance on the individual market | | | | exasperate this problem by driving the cost even |
| often works the same way, only in reverse. | | | | higher? |
| Young, healthy adults have access to affordable | | | | Instead of having the debate though, many in |
| health insurance, although they will see the cost | | | | Washington have decided to side step the |
| go up as they get older. | | | | discussion. Supporters of reform try to insinuate |
| Some States already have limits on how much | | | | that the higher premium charged for those in their |
| premiums can increase, although most States do | | | | 50's is pure profit for insurance companies, and |
| not. Even if there is never a significant claim | | | | opponents of reform don't want to acknowledge |
| against a health insurance policy, the premium | | | | the fact that many older Americans are simply |
| could increase to five times the initial amount just | | | | getting priced out of coverage. Neither one of |
| based on increasing age. That really rubs a lot of | | | | these approaches really acknowledges the whole |
| policy holders the wrong way, and makes buying | | | | truth. |
| a policy for an individual in their 50's rather | | | | The best way to view health reform is to look at |
| expensive. President Obama spoke to this point | | | | the merits of the individual pieces. Just think of |
| when talking about folks who are discouraged | | | | the progress that could have been made in the |
| from starting a small business, or retiring early | | | | last year if lawmakers spent their time explaining |
| because of health care premiums. | | | | how the different parts of the legislation actually |
| How is it fair that an insurance company can push | | | | worked. Instead of having a confused, uncertain |
| a premium up on a policy holder who has been | | | | electorate, Washington would have a clear idea of |
| faithfully paying for years at the very time of | | | | what the American people do, and do not support. |
| their life they may actually need to make a claim? | | | | Perhaps lawmakers already do know what |
| The solution for this in health reform is to tighten | | | | Americans want, and it comes in a perfect silver |
| the age bands. An insurance company can only | | | | bullet that does not exist. I suspect it will be back |
| charge it's oldest customers 3 times the amount | | | | to the games. |