A group of interested Iowans gathered at the Area Education Agency for an evening town hall conversation in Storm Lake. Health care insurance coverage was on the mind of all attendees, some of whom work for a local nursing facility.

A nursing home administrator presented an example of how difficult access to health care is for younger workers. She said she has tried to offer a health plan to her employees, but employees have declined the health plan, preferring a one-dollar per hour wage increase instead. She indicated that younger generations are choosing to take the risk of living without health care coverage. Others in the group pointed out that those employees without health insurance who can't afford care, will become taxpayer burdens if something happens to them.

An interesting analogy was used between the issues of health and financial security and the environment. The group agreed that reducing green house gas emissions and recycling have started to see some real public awareness and change. The question poised was, what is the turning point at which health care will change or long-term financial security will change?