It seems the media is finally starting to take note of the fact that young people have been missing from the health care debate thus far. Is it because of a lack of interest or concern from young people? Maybe for some. Or is it because Obama and Congress have failed to recognize the importance of engaging young people on the issue of health care reform? Or because the media has chosen to focus on the drama of the conservative town hall mobs instead of  the young supporters that are getting out there to fight for reform, just like they fought to get their President elected?

In this AP article by Beth Fouhy, the observation that young people are AWOL from the health care debate is a disturbing assessment:

Heather Smith, executive director of the youth-oriented group Rock the Vote, said that the heated arguments that have dominated the debate recently — from the future of Medicare to “death panels” to claims of rationing — have seemed far removed from the lives of young people, whose health-insurance worries primarily center on the cost and availability of coverage.

Lake, the Democratic pollster, said the lack of involvement by young people in the health care push may hint at a bigger concern for the White House: Some so-called Obama “surge” voters, who voted for the first time in 2008 and are largely younger and nonwhite, may not be as motivated to get involved in his signature causes, including health care.

“They say, ‘I’m taking a break from politics, I’m uninformed about the system, I’m sick of Washington, I’m not going to help these people.’ It’s interesting that he hasn’t countered that disengagement,” Lake said.

Don’t get stamped as AWOL. Take Action Now for health care reform and show Congress, President Obama, and the public that young voters are still here and ready to fight for change.