Young People Will Be Shouldering the Burden of Health Care

If you're a young person, like under 30, you should be paying careful attention to the health care debate. I mean, really careful.

If you're like most young people, you are covered by your parents' plans or just don't have health care. But under the Democratic proposals, you will be forced to buy health insurance or face a fine (1).

Estimates of the cost of the fine run from $750 to $950 per year. Some drafts of the legislation have it set as high as $3800 for families (2). This is a switch from Obama's campaign rhetoric, where he said, "Punishing families who can't afford health care to begin with just doesn't make sense."

I want to point out to young people in particular some facts:

• Medicare/Medicaid has been around a long time. It started in 1965 and will never be repealed (3). It is a cost that keeps growing each year.


• We have a shortage of doctors now (30% national shortage of physicians and nurses (4)) and 45% plan to quit if ObamaCare passes (5).


• More than seven in 10 doctors, or 71%, answered "no" when asked if they believed "the government can cover 47 million more people and that it will cost less money and the quality of care will be better." (6)


• Even without the health care debate, Baby Boomers make up a majority of the medical field and are close to retirement. We are facing a bigger shortage in just a few years.


• You will not find health care a guaranteed right in the Constitution.

It is every American's duty to become involved in this debate. The costs will follow this country for the rest of time.

If you truly believe the cost of this program is worth it, then I say it's your patriotic duty to hit the bedroom and produce more income producers and physicians as soon as possible.
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1. Murray, Shailagh (2009, September 16). "Young Adults Likely to Pay Big Share of Reform's Cost". The Washington Post.
Retrieved September 17, 2009, from The Washington Post

2. Alonso-Zaldivar, Ricardo (2009, September 8). "Fines proposed for going without health insurance". My Way.
Retrieved September 17, 2009, from My Way

3. "FAQ" (2009, April 1). The Social Security Administration.
Retrieved September 17, 2009, from Social Security

4. Reece, Richard L. (2008, March 7). "The Future of Hospitals And Baby Boomer Physicians". MedInnovationBlog.
Retrieved September 17, 2009, from MedInnovationBlog

4. Jones, Terry (2009, September 15). "45% Of Doctors Would Consider Quitting If Congress Passes Health Care Overhaul". Investor's Business Daily.
Retrieved September 17, 2009, from IBD.com

5. Jones, Terry (2009, September 15). "45% Of Doctors Would Consider Quitting If Congress Passes Health Care Overhaul". Investor's Business Daily.
Retrieved September 17, 2009, from IBD.com