Health Care Repeal Would Hurt Young Americans

A new Congress has arrived in Washington. Unfortunately, rather than ushering in an era of bipartisan cooperation for progress, the new House leadership already has set a precedent of prioritizing political stunts over the best interests of its constituents. By introducing legislation to repeal the Health Care Reform Act, the new leadership is sending a message that it will be business as usual for the next two years: protect special interests at all costs, even if it means that people’s lives will be harmed, and even lost, as a result.

As an organization that represents young people, we fought hard to support passage of health care reform, and we are already seeing the benefits for our generation. If health care reform is repealed, more than 1.2 million young adults under the age of 26 would lose their insurance coverage through their parents’ health plans at a time when it is difficult to find a job, especially for young people.

It would serve the House leadership well to remember that young people vote.  We voted in record numbers in 2008, because we wanted positive change. We will vote again in large numbers in 2012, and we will remember who cast their votes to repeal health care reform.

Katie is the Communications and Outreach Manager for Campus Progress.

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