By: Emily Beaver

Today, abortion-rights groups across the country are lobbying against the Stupak amendment, the controversial amendment in the House of Representative's health reform bill that bans federal spending on abortion coverage.

Groups like Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America are holding a lobby day in Washington, D.C., as part of a national "week of action." Hundreds of abortion-rights advocates are expected to gather on Capitol Hill to rally against the amendment, which would prohibit the Medicaid program from covering abortions and would prohibit women who receive government subsidies from buying health plans that cover abortion from a health insurance exchange.

In San Francisco, several reproductive health advocacy groups are planning a rally against the Stupak amendment at noon today at San Francisco City Hall. Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, NARAL Pro-Choice California, and other groups want California's senators to oppose the ban on abortion coverage in health reform. The advocates plan to speak about the importance of passing health reform legislation that inculdes coverage for abortion services.

Previously:

• Abortion and the Health Care Debate
• Old vs. Young -- the Health Care Tug-Of-War
• Ten Health Care Terms You Need to Know

The Y.I. Want Change coalition of more than 20 youth organizations is urging the Senate to go even further to make reform that works and is affordable for young Americans. The bill unveiled by the Senate extends coverage to millions of the uninsured, many of whom are young people. It includes a public option, and allows young adults to stay on their parents’ policies until the age of 26.

In a press release, the coalition stated that it continues "to be concerned about what began as the so-called “Young Invincible” plan, a high-deductible catastrophic plan now available to young Americans up to age 30 and any American who would have to pay more than 8 percent of their income in premiums."

Some members of the coalition believe that such a plan would create two classes of insured people in the country, with one class being akin to having insurance in name only.

For more information on Y.I. Want Change and how to get involved, visit their website.

Previously:

• Sweeping Health Care Overhaul Passes the House
• Ten Health Care Terms You Need to Know
• Ten More Health Care Terms You Need to Know

By: Emily Beaver

Last weekend, the House of Representatives passed its version of health care reform, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, or H.R. 3962. The bill is almost 2,000 pages long. Haven't read it yet? Here are a few parts of the bill that could have a big impact on young people.

The Individual Mandate
Under H.R. 3962, everyone would be required to have health insurance, a policy known as an "individual mandate." This could be a big change for people ages 19-29, who are less likely to have health insurance than other age groups. However, the bill doesn't just require everyone to get insurance -- it aims to make getting insurance easier. Allowing more people to be insured through the Medicaid program, letting young people stayed insured under their parents' plans until age 27, and creating an exchange where individuals could buy health insurance are a few strategies to help more people get insured. Anyone who doesn't have insurance would be fined up to 2.5 percent of their income.

Staying Insured Under a Parent's Plan
The House bill would allow children to stay insured under their parents' private health insurance plans until age 27. This change could occur as soon as January 2010, unlike other parts of health care reform that wouldn't go into effect until 2013, Rodgers says. Since some states allow insurance companies to to drop young people from their parents' health plans once they reach their late teens or early twenties, this change could help more young people keep their health insurance.