As layoffs sweep the U.S. and people lose health insurance coverage, people in the latter stages of middle age are especially vulnerable.
These adults, age 50 to 64, are too young to qualify for Medicare but too old to get health insurance in the individual market because they tend to have pre-existing medical conditions.
Part of the upcoming national debate over health reform will center on this group. Should they be able to buy into Medicare, expanding the reach of this federal program? Should high-risk pools such as the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Program be expanded? Or is some other policy solution preferable?
On Friday, more than 100 people are expected to discuss the topic at the 2008 Illinois Medical and Health Care Policy Summit sponsored by AARP and Health and Disability Advocates of Chicago. A new report is being released to coincide with the gathering.
It finds that 13.3 percent of 50 to 64 year old Illinoisans -- 287,084 adults -- are uninsured. When adults in this age range who are officially poor are considered (an individual earning $10,400 or less a year, a couple earning $14,000 or less), 44 percent are found to lack health insurance (68,406 people).