I recently attended a rally outside the national headquarters of Cigna, the country's sixth largest health insurance company, in support of single-payer health care. A term often used synonymously with universal health care, a single-payer system would mean all Americans would be insured by the government (a single source), bypassing the middle-man insurance companies and significantly reducing insurance costs for the vast majority of Americans. Written by Reps. John Conyers (D, Mi.) and Dennis Kucinich (D, Oh.), a bill currently exists in Congress - HR 676 - that would expand and improve our existing Medicare system to cover everyone, regardless of income or pre-existing conditions. The bill would also allow Americans to choose their own doctors.

Having covered several demonstrations and seminars on health care, it's often striking how few young people are present. Since young people are often covered by their parents plans and have fewer health issues, health insurance tends not to be an issue in the forefront of their minds. But as anyone who's ever been uninsured or had to pay for their own insurance can attest, the financial burden can be devastating, even for those in relatively good health.

I spoke with some of the demonstrators at this particular event about the problems with our current system, the benefits of HR 676 and why young people should pay more attention to the health care debate.

WATCH THE VIDEO NOW.

-c