Young professionals have always been told to find a “good job.” Translation: Find a job that pays well and offers great benefits. But, these days a “good job” is simply any job that pays, regardless of medical coverage or not. In fact, of the 49 million uninsured Americans, approximately 13 million are young adults between the ages of 19-29. While this amount includes recent graduates, individuals between jobs, those working in jobs without health insurance.
I conducted an unscientific poll of my friends and found that a few of us have been uninsured at some point in our lives (or still are). When I decided to switch careers and pursue freelance opportunities, I lost my insurance and opted not to sign up for COBRA. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers who lose their health benefits the right to continue their health benefits for limited periods of time. However, since you are required to foot the bill, many young professionals can’t afford to pay this amount. As one of my Twitter friends put it, “No one can pay for that on unemployment.”
So, like many others, I’m navigating the workforce without health insurance. The New York Times calls us the “young invincibles,” in reference to the somewhat cavalier attitude towards our personal health. While there are some people who think that they won’t (or can’t) get sick, the main issue comes down to money. Self-coverage is expensive, and when you’re still establishing your career, that’s an expense that can’t be justified. So, medications are stretched and sometimes borrowed, and vital screening often get pushed to the side. A college friend of mine told me, “Even if I get screened and there’s something there, I can’t afford to have it addressed. So, why bother?”
Even as the healthcare debate rages on in Washington and townhalls across the country, there is still no quick fix for this situation. In an effort to help alleviate this situation, Illinois joined several other states by allowing parents to cover dependents up to the age of 26. But, what if you don’t have that option? Well, fortunately, living in a metropolitan area such as Chicago has some advantages, besides the lakefront and the Bears. There are several community health care centers in the city, along with city and county departments of public health. For routine screenings and tests, you may be able to find local options for free or at a low cost.
In the meantime, the best thing that you can do it is to take lots of preventative measures, including diet regulation and exercise. Just in case, you should familiarize with health care options that can get you through any serious moments that you may have. I’ve compiled a brief list below. Hang in there!
Resources:
Chicago Department of Public Health
Cook County Department of Health
Access Community Health Center
Planned Parenthood
(offers STD testing, reproductive health screenings, and family planning services for guys and gals)
