University Democrats bring students into health care debate

Young adults make up the largest portion of the uninsured in the United States.

A health care town hall meeting, hosted by the University Democrats and The Roosevelt Institution, a non-partisan think tank, was held on campus Thursday night and aimed to get that same group of Americans involved in the health care reform debate.

“We wanted to educate students,” said University Democrats President Melessa Rodriguez. “This partnership provided a good way to start the conversation for students. We wanted to focus on issues, not ideology.”

Handouts that were distributed during the event said that young adults aged 19 through 29 are the largest population of the uninsured in the United States.

Public policy professor David Warner urged students to get involved in the political process in his opening remarks.

“I hope that students will become more knowledgeable about the issue,” Warner said.

“Hopefully, they will take part in the debate or in other political processes, either nationally or in Texas.”

He detailed the bills currently before Congress and the specific impacts health-care reform would have on Texans.

Warner said Texas provides practically no care for the unemployed unless they are single mothers, disabled or elderly. He said if a bill passes, a huge number of adults in Texas will get coverage.

In Texas, insurance companies can get information about the age, gender and previous health conditions of employees at small companies before agreeing to cover them. Reform would make it illegal for insurance companies to discriminate based on that information, Warner said.

After Warner’s speech, the students broke into groups to discuss their concerns. Warner sat with the groups to answer their questions. Students brought up a claim involving a variety of issues, including the debunked death panels, the deficit and reproductive rights.

“Getting access to coverage for everyone is my primary goal,” said University Democrats Vice President Andy Jones. “Equal access to health care is not simply a national issue of economics and politics. It is an issue of social justice and civil liberties.”

While there were varying opinions, the discussion remained civil.

“I am concerned about the deficit,” said economics junior Steve Karson. “We are going to bet that [Americans] will be able to pay for this by ourselves. I fear that bet might be too great.”
 

6 comments

The Cowardly Liberal

Wed Sep 16 2009 11:24

Oh you're a real tough minded realist, aren't you Leonard? What the hell do you know about Siberian labor camps?

Leonard Martinez

Sat Sep 12 2009 22:36

Assaulting the character of someone promoting social justice is just another example of oppression.

You don't know what oppression is, do you Glenn? Maybe five years in a Siberian labor camp would clue you in. Your use of the word is a slap in the face to all those that have experienced real oppression.

Your name

Fri Sep 11 2009 17:10

Keep options open for everyone to have a level playing field (Kennedy's motto on the role of government). Government shouldn't be used by banks, insurance giants, and irresponsible corporations for bialouts while people can't the same ATM service. Health care in a top nation shouldn't be something that is a third world level. "Atonement" for "sins" sounds like something Luis Farakan would say. Regulation and a public OPTION isn't atonement or socialism. Consumers need more options and supply side free market MONOPOLIES that dominate now isn't working. Time for improvement not just profits. Government representation for people not corporations.

Glenn

Fri Sep 11 2009 15:10

Assaulting the character of someone promoting social justice is just another example of oppression, subsidized by lack of empathy and selfishness. How can an intelligent person not care about society nor justice? If a person is opposed to a position, it would be more meaningful to propose alternatives instead of resorting to defamation or negative derogatory comments.

And keeping "government out of our lives" indicates a complete lack of understanding of what a democracy is all about. "We the People" have a responsibility to "provide for the common good" and not just the rich and privileged.

Leonard Martinez

Fri Sep 11 2009 14:06

It is an issue of social justice and civil liberties.

I have found that it is those with the most personal problems, dysfunctions and moral shortcomings who prattle on about social justice. Perhaps clamoring for social justice is their way of atoning for their sins. The psychology of the matter is very interesting.

Alen Smith

Fri Sep 11 2009 13:02

Keep Government out of our lives.

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