About Health Care for Americans in their Bridge Years

Right now, approximately 33 million Americans are between ages 55-64. They are in their “Bridge Years” – moving from full employment towards the retirement benefits available only to older Americans. They are workers; they are parents; they care for their elderly parents. Their median income is dropping and their health is declining. Many are in financial jeopardy – retirement savings slashed by falling equity markets, worried about whether they will able to keep their jobs, providing for older and younger dependents and, if they are retired, concerned about the stability of their retirement benefits.

The availability and cost of health insurance can be the difference between a secure retirement and personal economic collapse

If these Americans lose their jobs, they find it very difficult to find permanent and affordable health care coverage. Finding a new job is difficult particularly at a time of high unemployment. Medicare is, of course, not available to this population – they are “too young”. But private insurers view them as “old” and higher risk – resulting in significantly higher premiums than their younger counterparts (often five times the premium for young adults). Those who are fortunate enough to obtain coverage face out-of-pocket costs that are much higher than what they previously incurred under an employer plan, and new coverage often excludes pre-existing conditions altogether. Among those 60-64, nearly one of three applicants for insurance in the individual market is completely denied coverage.

This is a recipe for personal economic disaster. That is why we are urging Congress to ensure that people in their Bridge Years have guaranteed access to affordable coverage that is not contingent on health or employment status.

 American’s continue to support health care reform for the Bridge Years.

As the Senate Finance Committee began deliberating America’s Healthy Future Act in September, the Bridge Years Health Coalition fielded two health care questions as part of a national omnibus study conducted by Braun Research.  These questions were repeated in November, also on a Braun omnibus.

The findings suggest Americans would support health care reforms that address the needs of Americans in their Bridge Years (between the ages of 55-64).  And, this support has remained steady over the past two months despite all the machinations in the health care debate.
 
Voters were asked two questions:
 
1.       In general, do you favor or oppose the health care reform proposals being discussed in Congress?
 
2.       Would you favor or oppose a legislative proposal for health care reform that would provide quality, affordable health coverage to Americans age 55 to 64 who have trouble getting health insurance coverage due to age, early retirement, low-income or pre-existing conditions?
 
The key results are in the following table; the results are presented by favor/oppose/don’t know:
 

 
 
 
Question 1 – Health Reform Generally
(by %)
Question 2 – Bridge Years proposal
(by %)
 
 
September
November
September
November
Total
 
47/35/18
42/37/21
76/15/9
75/12/12
18-34
 
62/28/10
52/27/21
80/14/6
83/9/8
35-44
 
56/29/15
38/40/22
82/11/8
74/13/12
45-54
 
37/49/14
43/41/15
72/18/10
78/13/10
55-64
 
46/32/21
45/35/20
73/20/7
76/14/10
65+
 
31/37/32
27/45/28
73/12/15
64/15/22
Republican
 
21/67/13
18/64/18
60/31/9
62/20/17
Independent
 
43/34/23
41/40/19
78/12/10
75/13/12
Democrat
 
74/8/18
62/14/24
91/3/6
88/5/7
 

Last Updated: 11/16/09

info@bridgeyearshealth.org

  • There are approximately 33 million Americans between the ages of 55-64.
  • These Americans are workers, parents, and often care for their elderly parents.
  • The median family income is 25 percent lower for Americans aged 55-64 than for those aged 45-54.
  • The incidence of fair or poor health climbs from 16.3 percent to 22.8 percent for Americans in this age group.
  • The percentage of employers offering retiree health benefits to active workers has declined from 86 percent in 1980 to 31 percent in 2008.
Copyright 2009 Bridge Years Health Coalition