Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) today applauded several insurance companies that are voluntarily providing coverage for graduating college seniors and young adults in advance of the September start date dictated in the new health care law. UnitedHealth Group, WellPoint, and several other insurers have indicated they will start extending coverage to young Americans through their parents’ health care plan – at their parents’ discretion – until their 26th birthday.
“One in three young Americans has no health insurance now – a startling statistic that has serious implications for Orange County families,” said Rep. Sanchez. “I applaud insurers like UnitedHealth Group and WellPoint for taking concrete action to address this problem. No American, regardless of their age, should have to live with the uncertainty that comes with being uninsured. This gesture will give countless families the security of knowing their children have access to care if and when they need it.”
Yesterday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that WellPoint and United Healthcare will bridge any possible gap in coverage between now and the Fall — when the age 26 provision in the new health care law becomes effective. Secretary Sebelius says she expects at least some other health insurers to follow suit. HHS also sent a letter to other insurance companies offering to work with each of them on this issue.
Young people are the most likely to be uninsured, with 47 percent of those age 19 to 24 having gone without health insurance at some point last year.
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