Poll: Since Obamacare rule enacted, fewer young people uninsured

The portion of young people without health insurance has been declining since a rule was enacted in 2010 allowing children 26 years old and under to stay on their parents' health care plans, a new Gallup poll shows.

In the fourth quarter of 2012, 22.7 percent of Americans ages 18 to 25 reported having no health insurance, according to the survey, down from 24.5 percent in the beginning of 2012. Gallup has been tracking health insurance coverage rates since January 2008. The percentage of young people uninsured reached its highest level in the third quarter of 2009, at 28.7 percent.

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While the portion of young people without insurance has declined, the levels of uninsured among older people remained about the same, Gallup found. Americans ages 26 to 64 are more likely to uninsured now than they were in 2008 or 2009, most likely because of economic factors like the unemployment rate.

That may or may not change next year, when some of the Affordable Care Act's most significant reforms go into effect, including the mandate that all Americans acquire insurance or pay a fine. Additionally, each state by next year is expected to have a health insurance exchange up and running -- an online marketplace through which consumers can comparison shop for insurance.

[stamicrach]

While there may be fewer uninsured children; there are many more seniors and handicapped people left uninsured because their doctors no longer accept Medicare or Medicaid.

Even before Obama was elected; doctors began raising their fees or opting out of Medicare and Medicaid in anticipation of receiving less money for the same services.

Obamacare has done irreperable harm to the people of the United States.

Under Obamacare, if you do not buy into this Socialist scheme, you will be fined wether you are a business or an individual.

If you cannot afford to pay for the care, how are you ever going to pay the fine.??

Obama's solution is basically to come into your home and take your personal possessions, your retirement fund, you savings account or your checking account; as well as any stocks, bonds etc. you own, AND YOU HAVE NO RECOURSE TO GET THEM BACK.

Sounds like Communism, Socialism, Marxism to me.!!

Most of OBAMACARE has nothing to do with healthcare.

It's not 2,000+ pages long for nothing.!

Not one Congressman or Senator has read the entire thing.

Now, to top it all off; I am hearing that these do-nothing politicians vote on eills they have NEVER read any portion of.

I don't know about you; but I sure don't feel like I'm getting my money's worth,!!!

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

Hey, what is going on? It has been several weeks since the republicans have tried to repel Health Care in congress. Don't tell me that they are doing some work!

[Bojax39]

"Since Obamacare rule enacted, fewer young people uninsured"

But not through their own efforts. Creating moronic laws allowing these overage sponges to be an economic burden on their parents well into adulthood is not a solution to the problem, nor anything to brag about either.

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

So in your world anyone under 18 is an underage sponge, does that include you?

[Stagqa]

Explain how this would be a bad thing. Even Romney before the election said he liked this as one of the provisions of the law.

If the parents decide to include these young adults on their plan, they now have an option to do so. They (the parents) will pay more in premiums as a result but they have a choice of whether they want to continue to cover their children.

This would appear to be a win-win. Insurance companies collect more premium for a group (younger people)who are generally healthy and the young people have peace of mind and coverage until they are able to establish themselves.

I make choices each year as to what coverage I wish to have and who is included on the plan. My kids are both in college (22 and 19) and I would have no problem with keeping them on our plan if necessary. They can stay on the plan up to age 26. That does not mean that they will.

[BENJ0RD0N]

So, following the same logic you should be able to claim them as an exemption on your income tax!

[tsigili]

That's only because their PARENTS are now forced to pay for them, until they are 26!