[mlmpetert]

[quote=12thMan;677952]

Originally Posted by firstdown

Thats the I'm a looser clause in the bill because full time students can allready stay covered under their parents policy until they are out of school. So these are probably the kids who are not going to school and are not working because if they had a job their employer would have to pay for their health coverage and play mommy and dady. Just think of those anti drug comercials and the mom yelling up for the guy to get a job while he is smoking a joint in his bed room.[/QUOTE/

Well it's not that cut and dry. This is one of the largest segments of uninsured in the country right now. I believe it's about a third; that's a lot of people. In fact, many of these kids are working full time jobs, they just can't freaking afford health insurance. Especially the ones who have recently graduated from college. Currently the age limit will vary from state to state, but for most states the cut-off is 18/19 yrs old.

So this provision will take a huge chunk of the uninsured that show up in emergency rooms or that need medical care and provide them coverage almost immediately.

The reason for forcing young people to have health care insurance is to supplement the cost of providing health care insurance to old people. The reason why so many of them dont have health care insurance has a lot to do with the lack of need (or perceived need). Its one thing to risk it when your 25, single, no dependents, no possessions, all the while at a greatly reduced risk, versus taking the risk when you have a family, things to loose and are at a much higher risk. Its a gamble but its one that pays off for the vast majority of young people.