By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Wanted: A Youth Party to Tackle Health Care
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Wanted: A Youth Party to Tackle Health Care
NewsPolicy & LawPublic Health

Wanted: A Youth Party to Tackle Health Care

DavidEWilliams
DavidEWilliams
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

“Both Parties Wooing Seniors” reports today’s Wall Street Journal. And why not? Older people are much more likely to vote. According to the Census Bureau, in Presidential election years only about 30-40 percent of the youngest voters (aged 18-20)  vote compared to about 68 percent for those over 65.

“Both Parties Wooing Seniors” reports today’s Wall Street Journal. And why not? Older people are much more likely to vote. According to the Census Bureau, in Presidential election years only about 30-40 percent of the youngest voters (aged 18-20)  vote compared to about 68 percent for those over 65. In Congressional election years, the differences are even more stark: 13-17 percent for the youngest versus about 60 percent for the oldest. Voting rates rise gradually for each age cohort from youngest to oldest –it’s not just a difference between the young and the old.

So it’s really no wonder that spending priorities in this country are biased toward the old, or that the biggest –and completely unfunded– spending boost for the old in the form of the Medicare Part D drug benefit occurred under the notionally conservative George W. Bush and a Republican Congress. It’s disappointing but unsurprising that the “brave” Paul Ryan approach to Medicare reform puts 100 percent of the pain on the younger generation. Of course Democrats pander to the aged, attacking any Republican move on Medicare as a burden on the old even when it’s exactly the opposite.

Medicare is the main cause of the United States government’s fiscal challenges and its inexorable growth puts a squeeze on other areas of discretionary spending. The result is wide and growing intergenerational inequity in federal spending. We’re also hurting the country’s long-term competitiveness by spending big money on expensive medical interventions for the old that yield marginal benefits while squeezing out incredibly high return on investment activities in early childhood intervention.

More Read

Veterans Day 2012: The State of America’s Aging Warriors
Primary Care Workforce Shortage: Possible Solutions
The DNA Doctor Consultation Of the Future
Bladder Cancer Care in America Gets a Failing Grade
Did HIMSS deliver on its Charter? Transforming Health through IT

Don’t expect the old, and the baby boomers following them, to look out for the interests of the younger generations or to embrace significant policy changes. I would put more hope in a new party or movement that emphasizes the interests of those younger than 50 or 60. You can catch glimpses of the potential for change in the Tea Party, Ron Paul’s candidacy and Occupy Wall Street, all of which have an important or dominant youth component. But the Tea Party’s reactionary, anti-intellectual platform, Ron Paul’s idealistic sounding but impractical and naive approach, and Occupy Wall Street’s smugness and obsession with the economically successful are just not going to do the trick.

I don’t know where the youth movement will come from. My best guess is it could appear in the next Presidential election in 2016, when there’s a chance that younger Republicans, Democrats and Independents will find some common ground, supported by more enlightened sectors of the older population. An explicit focus on intergenerational equity would be a great element to add to the national debate.

 


TAGGED:health reform
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Epidemiological Health Benefits
Personal and Epidemiological Health Benefits of Blood Pressure Management
Health
October 13, 2025
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries: What Families Need to Know
Policy & Law
October 10, 2025
Remote Monitoring touchpoints
Remote Monitoring Touchpoints Patients Will Actually Follow
Technology
October 9, 2025
dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025

You Might also Like

hospital administration
BusinessFinanceHealth ReformHospital AdministrationPolicy & LawPublic Health

How to Be Named the Costliest Hospital in the Nation

May 30, 2013

President Obama Issues Order To Federal Agencies – Use Technology to Improve Customer Service

April 30, 2011

Health Insurance Benefits: Can You Have It Your Way?

August 19, 2014

ACO’s and CMS

July 2, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?