After more than 40 repeal attempts and three years of dissent within Congress, reality has finally set in: The Affordable Care Act, also known as “Obamacare,” remains the law of the land.
The bulk of the health care law was enacted on Oct. 1, provoking much protest from the right. However, what the majority of Americans do not understand is exactly what this act of Congress means for them.
College kids across the country should be sighing a breath of relief that the federal government is finally taking into account a large segment of the U.S. population that remained uninsured and now has the capability to do something about it: college students.
Before the Affordable Care Act, some young adults would lose coverage (if they were on their parents’ health plan) at the age of 18. Now, young adults are able to maintain health coverage until they reach the age of 26, regardless of whether they're in school.
As a student who plans on attending graduate school, I cannot imagine being expected to assume the burden of health care costs upon graduation. Anyone with student loans understands that incurring any extra costs could lead to making hard decisions: Do I pay for health insurance or make payments on my student loans?
Remaining on their parents’ insurance can lift an enormous weight off students' shoulders while entering the real world.
In addition, the Affordable Care Act permits young adults (in some states) who make less than $15,415 a year to be eligible for coverage under Medicaid. To the surprise of many who expected otherwise, Arizona is now one of those states thanks to Gov. Jan Brewer.
All students, pre-existing condition or not, should have extensive insurance so that lingering cough won’t go untreated. Expanding Medicaid to include underprivileged students and Americans in general will be beneficial to all.
Now the elephant in the room: Many know that the Affordable Care Act can only work if a large portion of young adults enrolls in the program to compensate for the health care costs of aging Americans.
Many would wisely ask, "Why is it the responsibility of young Americans to care for the elderly? We live in a civilized society. We are expected to care for the elderly and disabled folks among us." “Obamacare” simply expands this concept.
Although the title “Obamacare” was created to condemn President Barack Obama’s so-called “socialistic” ways, the legislation’s nickname should be considered a badge of honor. Obama has expanded social welfare in a way only comparable to former President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Social Security Act of 1935 and the legislation of former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s attempts to create a “Great Society.”
Before the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, nearly 30 percent of young adults between the ages of 19 to 25 were uninsured. Since then, about 5 percent have been able to obtain coverage simply from the age-limit provision.
The Affordable Care Act is a symbol for freedom from the constraints of the health insurance industry and should be praised by all college-aged students for making efforts to expand health care to all Americans.
Reach the columnist at jemeyer3@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @JordanElizaM
