Many students at SF State might not understand the intricacies of the multiple health care bills in Congress, but the final legislation will affect everyone, including young adults age 18 to 24. That group made up 18 percent of the 6.6 million uninsured Californians in 2007, according to "Snapshot of California's Uninsured," published in 2008 by the California HealthCare Foundation.

The current bills, focusing almost entirely on health insurance reform, could fall short of President Obama's promise to "provide affordable, accessible health care to all," because Republicans and conservative Democrats may not approve several provisions.

Proponents of the controversial public insurance plan hope to offer Americans coverage comparable to that provided to Congress members, with a premium costing 30 percent less than comparable private options.

But premiums will still be unaffordable -- about $300 per month, according to estimates by the Lewin Group, a research and consulting company for health care policy and management.

An estimated 70 percent of uninsured Americans age 19 to 29 are in households with annual income levels below $22,000, which is more than twice the Federal Poverty Level, according to a Commonwealth Fund analysis of the Census Bureau's 2007 Current Population Survey. The Federal Poverty Level is currently at $10,830.

This income is barely enough to cover rent in San Francisco, even if a person lives with several roommates.

Most congressional representatives agree the government should require all Americans to purchase health insurance, either public or private, and impose fines for people who do not comply, according to Ramon Castellblanch, an SF State associate professor specializing in public health policy.

But they do not agree on the steps necessary to lower costs, such as expanding Medicaid and providing sliding-scale subsidies to purchase health insurance for those making up to $43,000 per year.

Without these provisions, the government may exempt people who can prove economic hardship. Currently, Massachusetts mandates health insurance for the uninsured, providing a possible model for the federal government, Castellblanch said. "They won't make you buy it, but you still won't have insurance," he said.

Additionally, people with incomes just above the qualifying mark for exemption will be forced to pay.

This might sound familiar to students with incomes just missing the qualifications for financial aid. Many who do not qualify for the exemption may still not be able to afford the premium.

"The whole policy [of Congress] is 'let's get a deal'," said Alastair Smith, director of Student Health Services at SF State. "I think the legislation is going to morph itself into a pretzel."

The future of health care reform could erode important provisions, so students should not bank on getting a deal on their health insurance.