For many students, graduation looms as both an exciting and frightening entrance into an adult world filled with real-life challenges, including those surrounding health insurance.
On Oct. 13, more than 150 young people from 30 states ventured to Washington, D.C., as part of the “Why I Want Change Coalition” to lobby their senators and congressmen, said Aaron Smith, co-founder of Young Invincibles.
Smith said that young constituents, including some Californians, met with their respective representatives and their staffers to discuss the youth perspectives on health care reform and policy demands.
“At the end of the day, a lot of politicians are concerned with the voters back home,” Smith said. “That’s why it’s so important that young people get involved in the political process. We can have an impact if they think we are engaged and have a vote.”
Members of Young Invincibles and other groups in the coalition also attended a press conference in which Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced the inclusion of a provision to allow young people to be covered by their parents’ insurance plans until the age of 26.
“That would be huge for so many of us, especially for college kids who don’t have many options after graduation,” Smith said.
Smith said he realizes that Young Invincibles will encounter more resistance in its fight for some elements of reform, such as the public health insurance option. But he also said that the inclusion of this provision inspired him to believe that many aspects can become a reality.
“I would say what it really drove home for me is a reminder that young people can be such a powerful political force if we are organized and mobilized,” Smith said. “We’re like the secret weapon ““ if we show up and really come out strong, it’s hard to ignore us.”
Jen Mishory, a former Daily Bruin reporter and organizer of Young Invincibles, said she felt excited by the successes of the Lobby Day.
“This was just the beginning of a conversation that is going to be ongoing,” Mishory said. “These particular conversations are a great jumping-off point for continuing on with our policy agenda.”
She added that many participants enjoyed what was their first opportunity to voice their opinions directly to their representatives.
“We got a lot of feedback from offices who hadn’t spoken to young people before,” Mishory said. “It was nice to hear that we’re making an impact.”
Health care reform efforts among the youth population also extend beyond those made on Tuesday’s Lobby Day in Washington, D.C.
Mimi Newton, an organizer for the Los Angeles branch of Young Invincibles, said that they are currently working to develop university branches and garner support from young people at schools in the area such as UCLA, USC and Pepperdine.
“I think Californians tend to be in support of health care reform, but the issue is that people aren’t educated enough on the issue to have a strong opinion,” Newton said. “It’s not that there is apathy, but a lack of clarity on what can and will be achieved.”
Smith said Young Invincibles will aim to get support for reform on college campuses across the country.
The group will encourage students to search for the “Why I Want Change” Facebook application and a photo petition.
“(On Nov. 4) we will present these petitions from all over the country to Congress to show the face of the support for health care reform,” he added. “We think the anniversary of the election will be a good opportunity to bring attention to young people and our support for health care reform.”
Sara Taylor, former Daily Bruin editor and current organizer of the UCLA branch of Young Invincibles, said she lost the health security provided by her parents’ health care plan when she graduated.
She said she risked paying costly out-of-pocket expenses for procedures not covered by her very limited insurance.
“Luckily I didn’t have any major problems, but it was scary to know that if I did need medical care it would be very expensive or (completely inaccessible),” Taylor said. “I don’t want young people to be in the situation where they cannot take care of their health when they need to.”
Members of UCLA’s branch will promote the photo petition outside of the law building during lunch hours next week, Taylor said.
“We’re giving people a way to get involved in the health care debate and help bring about change,” she added.
Newton also said the response to the photo petition has been generally positive.
She says that organizers hope to accumulate as many signatures as possible before presenting the petition and rallying on Nov. 4.
“The rally will be an important way to show that young people really care everywhere,” she added.
Newton also said that organizers hope to encourage young activists to avoid the complacency that sometimes results from confidence in California’s generally progressive nature.
“Californians are even more supportive of a public option than most,” Newton said. “(But) if you don’t make a noise, no one hears it.”