More insurance for the young, but less for the old

There are 1 million young adults who now have health insurance thanks to changes in the law made under the Obama administration. Likewise, the number of older people without insurance has fallen.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Government officials are citing the new federal health care law, the Affordable Care Act, for helping young adults to find and keep health insurance benefits. They say the number of 19 to 25 year-olds with insurance has risen by about 900,000 people between September of 2010 and March 2011. 

The increase is being touted as a victory by Obama administration officials and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

However, while some may celebrate, the number of older Americans going without insurance continues to rise. The recession is chiefly to blame as many people cannot find work or afford insurance. 

The Affordable Care Act, that has so pleased administration officials and led to increased coverage for 900,000 young Americans, allows children up to age 26, to remain on their parent's health care plans, even if they are not attending school. Previously, many children were dropped, unless they attended school whereby they would enjoy a period of extended coverage. 

By changing the law, advocates say young Americans can continue attending school, without worry of being financially devastated by illness. Furthermore, they can accept starter-jobs that do not traditionally pay benefits while remaining covered on their parent's plans. 

The government's numbers are being backed by other independent surveys and studies. The U.S. Census Bureau is also reporting that the number of insured young Americans is up by 2% from 2010 to 2011. An independent survey by Gallup shows similar results.

Officials are praising the changes and saying they could cause premiums for other users to drop. Since the uninsured are covered by higher premiums, having more people insured means more claims will be paid and insurers can reduce premiums kept high by the costs of the uninsured. 
However, not everyone will agree that this is good news. The same officials warn that costs for insurers and employers could rise by as much as 3.4 percent. 

Presently, there is little hope for older Americans, who traditionally need more health care than young adults, and who are now losing benefits faster than ever before. 

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