Growing Number of Young Adults on Parents’ Health Insurance Policies Is Providing “Peace of Mind” for America’s Families

Health Reform Offers Health Coverage to the Age Group Most Likely to Be Uninsured

Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today released a report showing that a large and growing number of young adults have secured health coverage through their parents’ policies, a benefit established by the Affordable Care Act. The following is the statement of Ron Pollack, Executive Director of the consumer health organization Families USA, about this report:

“Thanks to the health reform law, millions of parents have peace of mind knowing that their young adult children will get good, affordable health care when they need it.

“The importance of the Affordable Care Act’s benefit for young adults is evident from the fact that they are, by far, the age group that is most likely to be uninsured. Almost 28 percent of 18- to 25-year-olds were uninsured in 2010, compared to only 9.8 percent of children under 18 years of age and 20.5 percent of 26- to 64-year-olds.

“Young adults are more likely to be uninsured because they are just entering the labor market and are far more likely than older adults to be in entry-level jobs that provide lower wages and fewer benefits like health coverage. As a result, too many young adults would, absent health reform, be uninsured once they finished high school or college.

“Even families without young adult children are helped. The expansion of health coverage to young adults helps reduce everyone’s insurance costs. Young adults, on average, are likely to be healthier and less likely to need expensive health care. When they are brought into an insurance pool—a group of people with insurance—average per-person insurance premiums can be reduced.

“Despite their greater likelihood of being healthy, young adults need protection when unexpected accidents and illnesses strike. The successful implementation of young adult coverage under health reform is good news for families across the country.”

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100 · Washington, DC 20005
202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org