HERE’S THE CROSSROADS GENERATION VIDEO:

HERE ARE THE FACTS:

KARL ROVE’S AMERICAN CROSSROADS PROVIDED SEED MONEY TO CROSSROADS GENERATION

Crossroads Generation Received $750,000 In Seed Money From College RNC, Republican State Leadership Committee, And American Crossroads.“Crossroads Generation received $750,000 in seed money from the College Republican National Committee, Republican State Leadership Committee and American Crossroads.” [Wall Street Journal, 5/14/12]

Republicans Have Created A New Group Called Crossroads Generation That Attempts To Tailor The GOP’s Economic Message For Young Voters Under 30.“Republicans have created a new group to make inroads with one of President Barack Obama’s core constituencies: young people. Crossroads Generation, a Super PAC funded by several conservative groups, including American Crossroads, attempts to tailor the GOP’s economic focused message for the under-30 set, arguing first jobs are harder to come by in the Obama economy.” [Wall Street Journal, 5/14/12]

REPEALING HEALTH CARE WOULD ALLOW INSURANCE COMPANIES TO KICK YOUNG ADULTS OFF THEIR PARENTS’ PLANS WHEN THEY GRADUATE, DISCRIMINATE AGAINST AMERICANS WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS, AND CHARGE WOMEN HIGHER PREMIUMS THAN THEY CHARGE MEN FOR THE SAME COVERAGE

The Affordable Care Act Requires That Insurers Allow Dependents To Stay On Their Parents’ Insurance Until Age 26. “Most of the new law has yet to go into effect — and it won’t until 2014 — but some provisions affecting insurers were instituted this fall. So far, insurers can’t deny coverage to kids because of preexisting conditions, and they must allow dependents to stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26. They also must provide free preventive care and eliminate lifetime and certain annual monetary caps on coverage” [FactCheck.org ,11/19/2010]

Under The Affordable Care Act, Starting In 2014, Americans With Pre-Existing Conditions Cannot Be Denied Coverage, Charged Higher Premiums, Or Be Subject To Other Discriminatory Actions.“Up to one in five non-elderly Americans with a pre-existing condition – 25 million individuals – is uninsured.  Under the Affordable Care Act, starting in 2014, these Americans cannot be denied coverage, be charged significantly higher premiums, be subjected to an extended waiting period, or have their benefits curtailed by insurance companies.” [Healthcare.gov, Accessed 12/30/11]

In 2014, The Affordable Care Act Will Prevent Insurers From Charging Women Higher Premiums Than They Charge Men.“Before the law, women could be charged more for individual insurance policies simply because of their gender. A 22-year-old woman could be charged 150% the premium that a 22-year-old man paid. In 2014, insurers will not be able to charge women higher premiums than they charge men.” [HealthCare.gov, accessed 7/28/11]

THREE MILLION MORE YOUNG ADULTS GAINED HEALTH CARE COVERAGE AS A RESULT OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, WHILE RESTRICTIONS IN PRE-EXISTING STATE LAWS RENDERED MANY YOUNG ADULTS INELIGIBLE FOR COVERAGE 

Because Of The Affordable Care Act, 3.1 Million Young People Who Would Otherwise Be Uninsured Have Coverage. “Without the health care law – the Affordable Care Act – these 3.1 million young adults would not have health insurance. As a result of the law, the proportion of insured adults ages 19 through 25 has increased to nearly 75 percent.”  [Department Of Health And Human Services, 6/19/2012]

• State Laws That Existed Before The Affordable Care Act Excluded 60 Percent Of People Even In States That Had These Laws.“It is notable that the pre-existing State laws in this realm did not apply to private self-insured plans, which are covered under the Affordable Care Act’s dependent coverage provision.  The majority of U.S. workers with insurance (60%) are in self-insured plans not subject to these state laws.” [HealthCare.gov,6/19/2012]
• Ø Due To Restrictions, The Vast Majority Of Young Adults In The U.S. Ineligible Were Ineligible For Coverage Under Pre-Existing State Laws.  “Additionally, many states had age limits, requirements for student status, or exclusions for married young adults that further limited the impact of these laws. Due to these issues, the vast majority of young adults in the U.S. were not eligible for coverage under pre-existing state laws, which minimized their impact.  This conclusion is supported by research published in peer review journals.  One study showed that pre-existing state laws produced only a small gain in coverage of roughly three percent,[2] while two others showed no overall gain in coverage.[3],[4] There is no evidence that any state experienced anything close to the 10 percentage-point gain in coverage due to the Affordable Care Act’s dependent coverage provision.” [HealthCare.gov,6/19/2012]

UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES IS LOWER TODAY THAN WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA TOOK OFFICE, AND UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG YOUNG ADULTS HAS DECLINED MORE THAN 2 PERCENT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS

Unemployment Among Young People Ages 20 To 24 Has Declined 2.8 Percentage Points In The Last 27 Months.In March 2010, the unemployment rate among youth ages 20 to 24 was 15.7 percent. In May 2012, the unemployment rate among youth ages 20 to 24 was 12.9 percent, declining 2.8 percent over the 27 month period. [Bureau of Labor Statistics, accessed 6/3/12]

Unemployment Among Recent College Graduates Has Declined More Than 1 Percent In The Last Two Years.In May 2010, the unemployment rate among college graduates ages 16-24 was 7.9 percent. In May 2012, the unemployment rate among college graduates ages 16 to 24 was 6.8 percent, declining 1.1 percent over the last two years. [Bureau of Labor Statistics, accessed 6/3/12]

Ø Unemployment Among Recent College Graduates Is Lower Than When President Obama Took Office. In January 2009, the unemployment rate among recent college graduates was 7.9 percent. In May 2012, the unemployment rate among recent college graduates was 6.8 percent, declining 1.1 percentage points over the President’s term in office. [Bureau of Labor Statistics, accessed 6/3/12]

ROMNEY WOULD GO BACK TO ALLOWING INSURANCE COMPANIES TO DENY COVERAGE TO PEOPLE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS

New York Daily News Headline: “Mitt Romney: Insurance Companies Should Be Allowed To Deny Coverage For Pre-Existing Conditions.”[New York Daily News, 6/14/12]

Huffington Post Headline: “Mitt Romney’s Health Care Plan Would Not Prohibit Discrimination Based On Pre-Existing Conditions.”[Sam Stein, Huffington Post, 6/13/12]

Huffington Post: “The [Saul] Statement Confirms That Under A Romney Presidency, There Would Be No Federal Prohibition Barring Health Insurers From Discriminating Against Pre-Existing Conditions.” “The statement confirms that under a Romney presidency, there would be no federal prohibition barring health insurers from discriminating against pre-existing conditions. Instead, his administration would push reforms that help eat away at the problem. It would allow ‘reinsurance,’ in which insurance companies pool resources for a joint plan to cover high-risk patients (essentially an insurance policy for health insurers); provide block grants of Medicaid dollars to the states while giving them flexibility to cover their uninsured population; and encourage the creation of high-risk pools. The Romney campaign believes that while a combination of these reforms won’t eliminate the problem of people entering the health insurance market with a pre-existing condition and encountering discrimination, it will decrease it.” [Huffington Post, 6/13/12]

• “Romney’s Position – Protecting People With Pre-Existing Conditions So Long As They’ve Always Had Insurance – Has Been Law Since 1996, Experts Say.”  [ABC News, 6/14/12]
• Romney’s Plans For People With Pre-Existing Conditions Not Address Those Who Have Never Had Private Health Insurance, Or Who Have Had Insurance But Spent Some Time Without, Often Because Of Financial Circumstances And Unemployment. “Romney’s position – protecting people with pre-existing conditions so long as they’ve always had insurance – has been law since 1996, experts say.  It does not immediately address people who have never had private health insurance, or who have had insurance but spent some time without, often because of financial circumstances and unemployment.” [ABC News, 6/14/12]
• Romney Says People With Preexisting Conditions Who Have Maintained Continuous Health Insurance Coverage Should Be Guaranteed The Ability To Retain CoverageBut “We’ve Actually Had A Law Protecting People Who Maintain Continuous Coverage Since 1996. It Obviously Doesn’t Do Very Much.”  “Republicans have been trying not to just come out and admit that their plan is to let tens of millions of Americans go without health insurance, but their obfuscations are having less and less success. Mitch McConnell pretty much admitted it straight out to Ramesh Ponnuru. Mitt Romney has been dancing around it by promising that ‘individuals with preexisting conditions who have maintained continuous health insurance coverage should be guaranteed the ability to retain coverage.’ Note the proviso at the end about maintaining continuous coverage. We’ve actually had a law protecting people who maintain continuous coverage since 1996. It obviously doesn’t do very much.” [New York Magazine,3/28/12]

SPENDING FOR PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE SLOWED IN 2011 AND IS ALSO EXPECTED TO GROW SLOWLY IN 2012 AND 2013

The Premium Increases Of 9 Percent For 2011 Were Generally Set In 2010, When Insurers Thought Medical Costs Would Be Significantly Higher, But The Bureau Of Labor Statistics Found That The Health Insurance Employer Cost Index Was The Lowest In Over 10 Years In The First Half Of 2011.“The Kaiser report shows that premiums increased 9 percent in 2011. These premiums were generally set in 2010, when insurance companies thought medical costs would be significantly higher than they turned out to be. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the health insurance employer cost index (a measure of the price of health care services) was the lowest it has been in over 10 years in the first half of 2011.” [White House, 09/27/11]

In 2011, Spending Growth For Private Health Insurance Slowed By An Estimated 0.6 Percent.“Private health insurance spending growth slowed by an estimated 0.6 percentage point, to 1.8 percent, in 2011.” [Health Affairs, 06/2012]

Under Current Law, National Health Spending Is Expected to Continue To Grow Relatively Slowly In 2012 And 2013.“National health spending is projected to continue to grow relatively slowly in 2012 and 2013 under current law, at 4.2 percent and 3.8 percent, respectively. Of note, both private health insurance and Medicare spending are projected to grow at low rates over this period.” [Health Affairs,06/2012]

HEALTH CARE REFORM WORKS TO MAKE HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS MORE AFFORDABLE FOR MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES

In 2014, Annual Premiums Are Projected To Fall Compared To What They Would Be Without The Affordable Care Act With Savings Of Up To $2,300 For Middle-Income Families Purchasing Through Exchanges. “In 2014, annual premiums are projected to fall compared to what they would have been without the Affordable Care Act. These savings could be as much as $2,300 for middle-income families purchasing through Exchanges.” [Healthcare.gov, 01/28/11]

Analysts Predict That Premium Growth Should Slow After 2014 Because Of The Affordable Care Act, Adding Another $2,000 To Family Savings By 2019.“After 2014, analysts predict that premium growth should slow because of the Affordable Care Act, adding another $2,000 to family savings by 2019.” [Healthcare.gov, 01/28/11]

The Congressional Budget Office Projected Savings Of 14 To 20 Percent Through Exchanges And New Rules In The Market.“The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) produced estimates of the impact of the Affordable Care Act on premiums. For people purchasing nongroup coverage through the Exchanges, it estimated savings of 7 to 10 percent resulting from the increase in the size of the insurance pool as well as the nature of the new enrollees, who, in light of the premium tax credits and the individual responsibility provisions, are likely to be healthier than existing enrollees.  An additional 7 to 10 percent savings would result from providing the same set of services to the same group of enrollees – primarily because of the new rules in the market such as eliminating insurance underwriting…. Together, these savings range from 14 to 20 percent.” [Healthcare.gov, 01/28/11]

Purchasing Insurance Through Exchanges Combined With Premium Tax Credits Could Save $9,900 For A Family Of Four With Earning $33,525.“Assuming 20 percent premium savings, families purchasing insurance through Exchanges could save as much as $2,300 per year and individuals could save up to $800 in 2014 compared to individual market coverage with the same level of benefits without the law.  With premium tax credits, the savings from health reform range from $9,900 for a family of four with income of $33,525 to $3,500 for a family with an income of $78,225.” [Healthcare.gov,01/28/11]

THE AFFORDABLE CARE LOWERS HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS THROUGH HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES, CAPS ON OUT-OF-POCKET PAYMENTS, TAX CREDITS, AND EXPANDED ACCESS TO MEDICAID

In 2014, Millions Of Americans And Small Businesses Will Have Access To Affordable Private Insurance–The Same Kind As Members Of Congress–Through Health Insurance Exchanges.“Starting in 2014, millions of individuals, families, and small businesses will have access to the same kind of affordable insurance choices as Members of Congress through the purchase of private health insurance through Affordable Insurance Exchanges (Exchanges).” [Healthcare.gov, 08/12/11]

The Affordable Care Act Will Cap How Much Those Covered In The Health Insurance Exchanges Will Have To Pay Out-Of-Pocket For Health Services Covered In The Law’s Essential Benefits Package.“To relieve consumers of some of this financial burden, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act) places caps on how much money insured people will have to spend out of their own pockets for health care services that are covered in the new law’s essential benefits package.” [Families USA, 02/2011]

Beginning In 2014, Individuals And Families Can Take A New Health Care Premium Tax Credit To Help Them Afford Insurance Purchased Through An Affordable Insurance Exchange.“Starting in 2014, individuals and families can take a new premium tax credit to help them afford health insurance coverage purchased through an Affordable Insurance Exchange. Exchanges will operate in every state and the District of Columbia. The premium tax credit is refundable so taxpayers who have little or no income tax liability can still benefit. The credit also can be paid in advance to a taxpayer’s insurance company to help cover the cost of premiums.”  [Internal Revenue Service, 11/30/11]

Health Care Reform Expands Medicaid To Nearly All People Under 65 With Incomes Up to 133 Percent Of The Federal Poverty Level.“The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) expands Medicaid to nearly all individuals under age 65 with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty line (FPL) which will extend coverage to large numbers of the nation’s uninsured population, especially adults.” [Kaiser Family Foundation, 05/2010]