Young Americans and Health Insurance Reform

Young Americans and Health Insurance Reform

Young Adults Gain From Reform: Coverage To Age 26 In Senate Bill. The Senate leadership bill will: “Provide dependent coverage for children up to age 26 for all individual and group policies. (Effective six months following enactment).” [Kaiser Comparison, accessed 12/1/09]

Extending Dependent Coverage To Age 26 Is Included In Health Reform. “Extends dependent coverage to age 26: Gives young adults new options. [White House, 2/23/10]

Young Adults 19-29 Are Largest Portion Of Uninsured In The U.S, Mostly Losing Coverage Upon Leaving High School Or College. The Commonwealth Fund reported in their study that, “[y]oung adults, ages 19 to 29, are one of the largest segments of the U.S. population without health insurance: 13.7 million lacked coverage in 2006. They often lose coverage at age 19 or upon high school or college graduation – almost two of five (38%) high school graduates who do not enroll in college and one-third of college graduates are uninsured for a time during the first year after graduation.” The study also noted that young adults account for “almost 30 percent of the nonelderly uninsured,” the largest chunk of the nonelderly uninsured. [Commonwealth Fund, May 2008]

Study: By Getting Kicked Off Of Parents’ Insurance Plans, “Turning 19 Increases The Uninsured Rate Nearly Threefold.” The Commonwealth Fund reported in their study on uninsured young adults that, “[n]ineteenth birthdays are crucial milestones in Americans’ health insurance coverage. Both public and private insurance plans treat this age as a turning point in coverage decisions. Employer health plans often do not cover young adults are dependents after age 18 or 19 if they do not go on to college…A 2004 Commonwealth Fund study found that among employers who offer coverage, nearly 60 percent do not insure dependent children over age 18 or 19 if they do not attend college.” Later in the study, the authors note that “[t]urning 19 increases the uninsured rate nearly threefold.” [Commonwealth Fund, May 2008]

Study: “Of The College Students Who Graduated During 2001 To 2003, 34 Percent Were Uninsured For At Least Of The Time In The Year Following Graduation.” The Commonwealth Fund reported in their study on uninsured young adults that, “[o]f the college students who graduated during 2001 to 2003, 34 percent were uninsured for at least part of the time in the year following graduation, with 13 percent uninsured for six months or more. Based on the experiences of recent graduates, one-third of college graduates can expect to spend at least some time uninsured in the year after graduation.” [Commonwealth Fund, May 2008]

Study Author: Two-Thirds Of Uninsured Young Adults Had Problems Accessing Health Care Because Of Cost. Reuters interviewed Sara Collins, author of a Commonwealth Fund report on uninsured young adults: “‘If you ask young adults, as we do in our survey, if you’ve ever had problems accessing health care because of cost — not filling a prescription, not seeing a specialist — two thirds of uninsured young adults say yes,’ [study author Sara] Collins said.” [Reuters, 3/30/08]

Study: “The Majority Of Uninsured Young Adults Are Full-Time Workers.” The Kaiser Family Foundation released a report finding that, “[t]he majority of uninsured young adults are full-time workers. Similar to older adults who are working, employed young adults can have limited access to employer-sponsored coverage. Full-time students comprise only 8% of uninsured young adults.” [Kaiser Family Foundation, June 2008]

Study: “Young Adults In Fair Or Poor Health Are More Likely To Be Uninsured Than Those In Excellent Health.” The Kaiser Family Foundation released a report finding that, “[y]oung adults in fair or poor health are more likely to be uninsured than those in excellent health. While many discussions about uninsured young adults cite their relatively good health as a reason why they have chosen to forgo health insurance, the data show that those in the best health are actually the least likely to be uninsured. About 27% of young adults in excellent or very good health are uninsured, compared to about 40% of those in worse health.” [Kaiser Family Foundation, June 2008]