By Dorian Randall

Sarah Snyder enjoys making jewelry and playing with her cat Fleury.

Myro Joy Olida Lee is a co-coordinator for an English as a Second Language church ministry and just made a Harry Potter scarf for a friend.

Approximately 47 million Americans are uninsured. While the healthcare debate has focused on the elderly, the unemployed, and the middle class, voices of the young and of immigrants have been comparatively absent. Snyder, a recent college graduate, and Lee, a legal immigrant, see themselves as minorities within another minority--the uninsured.

Dr. Denise Hinds-Zaami, Diversity Advocate for Students and Multicultural Resource Center Counselor at Penn State, says these “so-called minorities” are people who have “less of a role to play” and “less of an influence and impact.” She said the term does not only refer to race, but also religious and age groups.

“I don’t think we’ve seen all of America,” Hinds-Zaami said of the healthcare debate.

Hinds-Zaami said people are falling through the cracks and are left with no options. Among those who are falling through the cracks are college graduates who do not have student healthcare.

Adults between the ages of 19 and 29 are one of the largest uninsured groups in the U.S. according to an August 2009 report from the Commonwealth Fund. U.S. House speaker Nancy Pelosi announced a plan in October to allow some young adults up to the age of 26 to remain covered under their parents’ insurance plans.

“They often lose coverage at age 19 or upon high school or college graduation,” the report said. Approximately 38 percent of high school graduates who do not go to college and about one-third who do are uninsured for up to a year after graduation. For Snyder, it was three years.

“I don’t think people realize how many and how quickly the ‘after college’ set is left behind,” Snyder said.

Snyder was just 22 when she lost student coverage and was not able to get assistance from her family. She even considered going on welfare.

“I felt bad looking into state welfare. I didn’t feel I was in need of it. I knew there were many families worse off than I was. But I too needed help,” Snyder said.

Snyder, who is now 26, was only recently able to receive dental care with the insurance from her new job as an administrative support assistant at Penn State.

“I look back now on different problems with my teeth I have now that I could have fixed properly if I would have been able to go to the dentist regularly,” Snyder said. She said she had to have four teeth extracted because of decay.

Snyder is one of many “minorities” who have lived or are living without healthcare. Myro Joy Olida Lee is one as well. Hinds-Zaami said the voices of immigrants, including undocumented ones, have not been included in the debate.

Born in the Philippines, Lee is one of many permanent residents in the United States. In January 2008 approximately 12.6 million legal permanent residents lived in the United States with 8.2. million eligible for citizenship, according to the Department of Homeland Security Web site. Lee recently applied.

Lee was laid off from her job as a research technician in August and recently filed for unemployment. Although Lee is married to a Penn State graduate student who is a U.S. citizen, she is not covered by his insurance because of a missed deadline.

She said she feels her voice is not being heard and understands that an unheard voice needs strong support.

“As an alien and a minority, realistically, I need to have some kind of capital and support from some prominent member to promote any kind of lobbying,” Lee said.

Lee even joked that if she were hit by a bus, she wouldn’t want anyone to take her to the hospital because she can’t afford the medical bills. Although she joked, she also realizes the danger she is in as an uninsured individual.

“Well, with all the talk about swine flu, you never know. Currently, without insurance, all it'll take is one misstep. And if over the counter medication can't take care of it, I'll have no choice but to seek a physician,” Lee said. She also said she is thankful she has not had any health problems that would require immediate care.

When asked if she thought she would be guaranteed healthcare when her citizenship process was approved, Lee said no.

“Instead, I think citizenship will give me a chance to have a voice,” Lee said.

While insurance providers and pharmaceutical companies have participated in discussions about healthcare reform, Kristin Houser, Executive Director of Centre Volunteers in Medicine, said local free clinics have not been invited to the discussion.

CVIM is one of many volunteer clinics across the nation offering services to those who can’t afford healthcare. Houser said her main concern is that CVIM is able to keep its doors open to serve some of the approximately 11 percent of Centre County residents who are uninsured.

“About 70 percent of our budget we raise every year from this community,” Houser said. Houser also said that with the recession, donations are down while the need for their services rises.

“We know the economy is hitting this community hard because people are reaching out to us for the first time to say, ‘I no longer have healthcare benefits,’” Houser said. Houser said the majority of CVIM’s patients are employed, but just can’t afford a health plan.

Houser also said CVIM has about 50 people that have been on the waiting list since May. CVIM has limited resources, and only those who qualify for services can get an appointment.

CVIM provides services for not only acute illnesses such as the flu and ear infections, but also for chronic issues such as hypertension, diabetes, depression and anxiety.

Houser said she believes whatever reform is made won’t reach the needs of everyone, especially those with dental and mental health issues.

“That is not at all included in this national healthcare plan.”