Young Adults
Young adults, ages 19-24, are the age group most likely to be uninsured in the United States. More than thirty-six percent were uninsured for all or part of 2003. While young adults may not be aware of the direct costs of our health care system they are feeling those costs indirectly.The cost of health care is taking a growing portion of state budgets, resulting in limited funds for public education (K-12 and higher education) and public safety. Young adults will also be left to deal with the massive national debt which is being driven to a large extent by the cost of health care.
Today's young adults will never experience Medicare as it exists today, but will pay the bills being rung up by today's inefficient, inequitable system. Right now, Medicare is spending more than it’s bringing in, and by 2020 it will be completely bankrupt.We have an opportunity to create a health system that meets the needs of today's population, and is sustainable to meet the needs of the future. Health education and health promotion are good examples. They bring a great benefit - a good "return on investment", so to speak. A new system has to invest in that for today's youth and young adults, and that investment will have a ripple effect as this generation ages.
Nothing is the same as it was 40 years ago when our current health care system was created, and health care is one of the things that has changed most dramatically. We need a better system, one suited to the realities of today; one that prepares Oregonians to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.We can do more for future generations than leave a large bill for health care on the table. We can do better. We can create a rational system that is fair, affordable and accessible for all. Join us in designing health care for the 21st Century.
