The study, by the consulting firm of Oliver Wyman, concludes that premiums for individuals will rise by $1,576 and $3,341 for families by under the bill. Young people will be hit the hardest. The study predicted that premiums for new health insurance policies purchased by the youngest third of the population would rise by 35% under the bill.

These increases will stem from the bill’s provisions that bar insurance companies from raising rates on sick people and from excluding people based on pre-existing conditions. Both of these mandates will mean higher costs for the younger and healthier population. This bill is, in effect, a tax on the young.

Nor will subsidies do much to mitigate the impact. To get a subsidy under the bill you have to earn less than about $80,000 a year (combined household income) and have spent between 2 and 10 percent of your income on premiums.

So a couple making a combined income of $40,000 would have to pay about 5% of their income: $2,000 before they could get subsidies. Those making $60,000 would have to pay about 8% of their income — $4800 – before they could get a subsidy. And those making $80,000 would have to chip in 10% of their income — $8,000 – before they would get a subsidy.

These are hefty bills for young families to bear.

So most won’t do it. The fine for failing to have health insurance is only $750. So most young people will just pay the fine and be done with it. When they get sick, they’ll get covered and the insurance company can’t charge them a higher premium than it would have charged when they were healthy. And it can’t turn them away.

So this bill is not a measure for full national health insurance coverage. At best, it’s a bill that will insure you when you are sick and make the rest of us pay the bill. And, in the meantime, you’ll have to chip in $750 a year for the privilege.

Employers, too, will find it much cheaper to pay the $750 per employee than to buy insurance.

Ironically, there is a good chance that this bill will actually increase the number of uninsured. Its ban on letting insurers raise rates on sick people will force premiums so high that many people will drop their insurance. After all, when they get sick, they can and will easily get their insurance back.

Meeting & Officer Elections- “A Reorganization of the Organization”

Thursday, January 7, 2010 from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Gloucester County Republican Headquarters
664 Mantua Pike
Woodbury, NJ  08096-3200

The Monmouth County Young Republicans

Holiday/New Year’s Mixer

Thursday, January 14, 2010 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Bar Anticipation
703 16th Avenue
Lake Como, NJ 07719
(Mahogany Room)

$20 per person includes hot and cold appetizers as well as an open bar serving wine, beer, and soft drinks. Checks, payable at the door, can be made out to: Monmouth County Young Republican Club.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Paul Crupi at monmouthyr@gmail.com

Hudson County Young Republicans

1^st General Meeting for 2010

Thursday January 21, 2010 at 8 pm
Panera Bread  (Back Tables)
308 Washington Street
Hoboken, NJ

Club elections will be held. Please RSVP concerning your attendance.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Fernando Uribe rutgers316@hotmail.com or 201-993-8623.

Morris County Young Republicans

Welcome Back Pizza Party

Thursday, January 21st | 7:30 – 9:30 PM
Pete’s Pizzeria | 119 Morris Street - Morristown, NJ 07960

Come join us as we welcome everyone back for 2010 and toast to our new republican governor.  The bar is cash, the pizza and good company are free!

More info: morrisyr@gmail.com

Ocean County Young Republicans

Re Org Meeting

Friday, January 22, 2010 from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Captian’s Inn
304 East Lacey Road
Forked River, NJ

The swearing in will take place at 7:30. There will be a dinner buffet and cash bar.

Members with current dues paid are free. Dues can be paid at the door that night. Guest will be $20.00 per person.

Somerset County Young Republicans

Re-org Meeting

Sunday, 1/31/10 at 7 pm

Somerset GOP HQ
66 East Main St.
Somerville, NJ, 08876

Our County Freeholders were reelected by a sound margin, proving once again that STABLE taxes CAN be maintained while improving the services available to Ocean County residents.

Many Republicans, some prior YR members, also saw victory in their local races for Township or Mayor.  The people of New Jersey have spoken!  They’ve taken a stand against big government, big spending, no accountability, and corruption!  And THAT’S the CHANGE you can BELIEVE in!

But every election cycle brings new challenges.  We’ve gained valuable ground, but now is not the time to rest.  The ‘other side’ will come back with a vengeance, and we’ll be ready for them.