Reply #24: Won't work for younger individuals with chronic conditions [View All]

[Ms. Toad]

who are no longer eligible for insurance under their parents' plans, aren't likely to have a job that pays enough to provide insurance (either because of age/experience - or because they cannot work a full time job because of their illnesses), and can't afford the high risk pools (which, to the extent they are available, are the only insurance options available).

My daughter is in that category - she is struggling to maintain full time student status despite an illness that keeps her chronically fatigued (and heading for a liver transplant) because at 19 if she isn't a full time student she is out of insurance. Her premium (at age 19) would be $14,000 a year. If she can't handle a full time load at school, the chances she will be able to find a job that pays enough for her to purchase insurance on her own (i.e. $14,000 a year + her other living expenses), or that will provide her with insurance are slim to none.

Whatever reform is implemented, it needs to make insurance/health care immediately available at an affordable rate to individuals who are otherwise uninsurable.