Jen the Michigander wrote:

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But do their parents have health insurance? If we're talking about poor ghetto families, probably not.

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Dunno. I expect there is a large portion of the black youth in the ghettos.  And, I hope in time, with the coming Health Insurance Exchange formation, they will get some affordable choices that will give them at least BASIC insurance coverage which they presently lack.  They can get the heavy subsidy from the government to get that.  If not, they will go on Medicaid as they have thus far.  If the Health care reform is repealed, the only option is Medicaid, I suppose. And for that, they will end up not getting that job that could give them the essential skills that might pull them out of the ghetto.

"Ghetto" is a cyclical downspiral.  Qualifying constraints of Medicaid actually hurts and encourages them to stay there.  They need to break out of that, and I am hoping that Health Inssurance Exchanges and the subsidies will provide enough of an incentive for some to get out of the cycle. 

I dont know why our society is so mean to the poor.  Is is necessary to see the pool languish for the rich to feel good?  I am in the middle class, and my heart cries when I drive through the poor neighborhood which I do at least once a week.    I was in the grocery store yesterday evening and the person in front of me had her debit card declined for not enough money; she looks in her purse and not enough cash. Then, she was pulling out essential items from her cart, and we are in the Express lane with less than 10 items.  I asked her how much does she need and she was embarassed about having to take money for milk, bread, eggs and cheese. I had to reassure her it is ok to take some help. I hope she is eligible for Medicaid. . I hope she has/gets a job that pays for insurance.  I cannot forget the look on her face as she was decide what to take out of her cart.


-- Edited by Sanders on Saturday 30th of October 2010 12:37:48 PM