The Associated Press fails, again, to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Here is an AP story we found that falls short of giving us the truth on the health care issues upon which it is reporting.

CHICAGO (AP) - Health insurance premiums for young adults are expected to rise about 17 percent once they're required to buy insurance four years from now. That estimate is from an analysis by Rand Health.

Young people will need to carry more of the burden of health care under the new health overhaul law. The new law limits an industry practice of charging older customers more.

Even so, the pluses could outweigh the minuses. Some 2 million people under age 26 should qualify for coverage under their parents' health plans. And Medicaid expansion will insure 9 million more young adults.

The part we object to is this: " . . . . the pluses could outweigh the minuses. . . . "

Really? Did you know that the 26 year olds (and under) covered by family paid insurance policies are those who are currently attending college? No college, no parent paid insurance. And . . . . . did the AP author [always anonymous] just list as a plus the notion of Medicaid coverage ? You have to hunt and peck to find a doctor who accepts Medicaid and that will only get worse over the course of the coming year. That explains why the Government plan is billed as cheaper than private insurance --- less coverage usually equals cheaper prices. There are more medical requests turned down under Medicaid and Medicare than under private insurance coverage. Finally, the news brief, above, fails to mention that because of the reduced premiums required of seniors, adult youth will see their premiums rise by approximately 17%.

It is just a shame that the popular media is not giving us the whole picture -- jds.

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