600,000 Young Adults Get Insurance Thanks to Health Care Reform
Kaiser Health News recently released a report showing that at least 600,000 young adults have joined their parents’ health plans thanks for the Affordable Care Act. These numbers posted over the first three months of 2011 demonstrate that a substantial need for the provision existed in the young adult population. What's more, the fact that this increase occurred during a time when insurance companies announced increased profits gives credence to the claim that the Dependent Coverage provision is indeed fiscally sound and affordable as initially projected.
With graduation rapidly approaching at colleges and universities across the country, in the coming months we expect many more young adults to join or stay on their parents' insurance while they search for jobs. This safety net helps young adults -- the age group with the highest uninsured rate -- stay healthy in a struggling economy, and gives parents peace of mind. We are encouraged that young adults, their parents, and insurance companies alike have recognized that this common-sense provision is truly a win-win.
Read the full Kaiser report here and learn about the Dependent Coverage Plan here.
Correction: The source of the report was originally listed as the Kaiser Family Foundation. It was actually Kaiser Health News that released the report. We regret the error.
Tobin is the deputy director for Campus Progress.
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