Conservative and Liberal Youth Advocacy Groups Join Together to Ask President Obama for a Greater Voice in the Healthcare Reform Debate. President Obama has approached healthcare reform as a fundamental investment in the future of this country, arguably making America's youth the greatest stakeholders in reformGiven our unprecedented showing in this year's election, young Americans want to ensure our influence doesn't end at the ballot box.Many of the stakeholders currently involved in healthcare reform have their own short term interests, and many would prefer to see incremental changes rather than the systemic overhaul we needYoung Americans are less ideologically driven than their predecessors and less concerned about the ghosts of healthcare reforms past.Our generation and the American people are ready for real, pragmatic solutions to our problems
Nashville, TN April 22, 2009 -- In recent days, both conservative and liberal youth advocacy groups, joined together to push for a greater voice in the healthcare reform debate. Understanding that President Obama has been keen on seeking input from a variety of stakeholders, youth groups representing over 150,000 millenials from across the nation endorsed a letter to President Obama asking him for a seat at the table. The organizations were led by SHOUTAmerica and included such groups as Mobilize.org, The Youth Entitlements Summit, America's Future Foundation, The Roosevelt Institution, and Concerned Youth of America. Although the groups do not all agree on the solutions to the healthcare crisis, they do agree that the millenials have much at stake and much to offer to the debate.
According to the letter, their involvement is essential as young adults represent the largest portion of the uninsured by age and also stand to shoulder the greatest burden of any long-term fiscal challenges emerging from the rising cost of health care. "President Obama has approached healthcare reform as a fundamental investment in the future of this country, arguably making America's youth the greatest stakeholders in reform," said Landon Gibbs, Executive Director of SHOUTAmerica. "Given our unprecedented showing in this year's election, young Americans want to ensure our influence doesn't end at the ballot box."
The youth see an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to the healthcare debate. "Many of the stakeholders currently involved in healthcare reform have their own short term interests, and many would prefer to see incremental changes rather than the systemic overhaul we need," said Gibbs. Yoni Gruskin, the Executive Director of Concerned Youth of America added, "Young Americans are less ideologically driven than their predecessors and less concerned about the ghosts of healthcare reforms past." Thus, the groups see writing the letter as part of an ongoing effort to find common ground on an issue that has been so politically divisive for decades. "Our generation and the American people are ready for real, pragmatic solutions to our problems," said Gruskin.
For additional information contact Landon Gibbs or visit SHOUTAmerica's website.
Media Contact:
Landon Gibbs
(615) 963-3827
Contact SHOUTAmerica: A Community for Healthcare Reform
