Youth may pay a lot more for health premiums

[Nikki Stone1]

Youth may pay a lot more for health premiums

Costs expected to rise 17 percent once insurance is required

By CARLA K. JOHNSON

updated 2 hours, 1 minute ago

CHICAGO - Under the health care overhaul, young adults who buy their own insurance will carry a heavier burden of the medical costs of older Americans — a shift expected to raise insurance premiums for young people when the plan takes full effect.

Beginning in 2014, most Americans will be required to buy insurance or pay a tax penalty. That's when premiums for young adults seeking coverage on the individual market would likely climb by 17 percent on average, or roughly $42 a month, according to an analysis of the plan conducted for The Associated Press. The analysis did not factor in tax credits to help offset the increase.

The higher costs will pinch many people in their 20s and early 30s who are struggling to start or advance their careers at a time when the unemployment rate is at a 26-year high.

<snip>

Jim O'Connor, an actuary with the independent consulting firm Milliman Inc., came up with similar estimates of 10 percent to 30 percent increases for young males, averaging about 15 percent.

"Young males will be hit the hardest," O'Connor says, because they have lower health care costs than young females and older people who go to doctors more often and use more medical services.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36087653/ns/health-health_care/

[MindandSoul]

1. Well, it obviously wouldn't be good. . .But. . .this may lead to more people

realizing that "private insurance" alone is not working. . .and requiring us to move to a public option or national insurance.

If everything became too easy. . . we would not move forward. So, it might be okay to give the insurances enough rope to hang themselves!

[Nikki Stone1]

3. It would be nice if that were the case, but the die has been cast

And we have pay to play system.

[Nikki Stone1]

2. kicking

.

[mike_c]

4. 'bout time, dad-gummit....

Now that I'm approaching old-fartdom, that is. :rofl:

[Nikki Stone1]

5. It's the parents that will pay it.

How many 22-year-olds buy their own insurance?

[SocialistLez]

8. Possibly....

I'll be 22 in 3 years and I HOPE I'll have a decent job that offers health insurance.
If I don't, I'll probably buy the cheapest plan with the highest deductible and hold my breath nothing goes wrong.

[Nikki Stone1]

11. Chances are you'll be ok

But take care in your car.

[SocialistLez]

14. I try to

I had a wreck a few months after I got my first car and that scared me for quite a bit. It was my fault and I learned a big lesson.

There are a lot of crazy drivers in my area and I'm left either shaking my head at their stupidity or screaming my head off because I had to slam on the breaks to avoid hitting them or because they almost hit me.

[Nikki Stone1]

6. And now Aetna says they're raising prices

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8046810

[SocialistLez]

9. Big surprise....

:sarcasm:

[Nikki Stone1]

10. Isn't it though.

:sarcasm:

When the bill is written by the former Ex. VP of Wellpoint, you know it's not about the people.

[Nikki Stone1]

7. And children with pre-existing conditions may not be covered

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/29/health/policy/29health.html?hp

[aikoaiko]

12. Young man, ain't got nothing in the world these days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOpzDAiwW4g

[strategery blunder]

13. Hopefully I'll be in Canada by then

I'm not able to leave the US at this time, but I am structuring my life in such a manner as to be able to emigrate in a few years.

I'm 25, and the future that I see for myself in the US consists of indentured servitude to the medical-industrial complex. I'm perfectly healthy now, but I'd rather live in a civilized nation where I don't have to live in fear of fighting an insurance company if I get sick and am in no condition for such a fight...

It should be noted that I carried health insurance well before HCR passed, so I don't contribute to the "free rider problem." I merely expect to get what I paid for, should I need it.

[lumberjack_jeff]

15. "The analysis did not factor in tax credits to help offset the increase. "

So, youth aren't going to pay a lot more. In fact, they're going to pay a lot less.

Thanks for contributing to the disinfo pool.