DeLauro Explains Benefits For Young Adults In Historic Health Reform Legislation

Press Release

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) today visited Quinnipiac University to discuss the benefits for young adults in the historic health insurance reform legislation signed in to law by President Obama last month.

The legislation includes reforms that will benefits young adults starting this year. In today's economy, and with 1 in 3 young adults currently uninsured, swift action is essential to ensuring health care security and stability. Approximately 58,000 young adults in the 3rd district alone will benefit from a provision in the health reform legislation that allows individuals up to age 26 to remain on their parents insurance policies.

As Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced last week, insurance companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, WellPoint, and United Healthcare have voluntarily offered to bridge any possible gap in coverage between now and the Fall -- when the under age 26 provision becomes effective.

Young adults will also benefit from easier access to quality, affordable health care, better preventative care, the elimination of annual and lifetime caps on coverage, and insurance companies being prevented from dropping them due to a pre-existing condition. Additionally, the bill makes investments in strengthening our workforce, providing for loan repayments and training support for those pursuing careers in the public health and primary care fields.

Joined by local students and university officials, Congresswoman spoke about her involvement with the legislation and how it will directly impact young adults in the 3rd district and across the nation.

Congresswoman DeLauro said, "Right now, young people in America are the least likely to be insured, the least likely to have coverage through their jobs, and the least likely to be able to afford coverage or care. Close to half of Americans between 19 and 34 have gone without health insurance in the past year, with one in three uninsured right now. That is simply not right, and the health care reforms we have passed will change this, making health insurance coverage will be more available and more affordable.

The health care reform legislation will have an enormous benefit for every American, no matter your age, your gender, your economic situation, or even your health. It fulfills a promise first made 100 years ago by President Theodore Roosevelt, ensuring that every man and woman in America has an inalienable "right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health." These reforms will not only make the American people healthier, they give us all more control over our health decisions, and was one of the most important votes I ever cast."

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