WASHINGTON — The big news buzzing around Capitol Hill on Tuesday may have been the Senate Finance Committee’s vote on health care. But on the House side of the Capitol, young Americans from more than 30 states gathered for Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s announcement of the Young Adult Health Care Coverage Act of 2009.
The bill authored by Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, D-Pa., states all young people can stay on their parents’ health insurance policies until their 27th birthday. Young adults from political advocacy groups like Rock the Vote, Young Invincibles, and Black Youth Vote applauded the pledge to protect America’s young adults.
“There are millions upon millions of us who are cautious about opening that small business, nervous and worried about going back to school and leaving our jobs, and anxious about starting a family, all because we don’t have adequate or any health care coverage,” said Ari Matusiak, co-founder of Young Invincibles.
Young adults between the ages of 18-29 make up the highest uninsured rate of any age group in the U.S.
One month before her college graduation, Kristja Hendricks, 28, of New York, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Her surgery and medicine were covered by her father’s insurance policy, but three months after graduating she was dropped from the plan. Because of the cancer, Hendricks was rejected from other insurance companies due to pre-existing conditions.
“I was able to get by with going to the local clinic and having blood work to regulate my hormone levels, but still, five years later, haven’t had the tests needed for cancer survivors,” Hendricks said.
Dahlkemper called the act a “common-sense” solution that would save tax-payers in the long run. “Giving young adults the option of staying on their parents’ health care coverage while they move in and out of school and jobs is a simple solution to give them support and stability during this very volatile time of their lives,” she said.
Thirty states already have an extended dependent health care coverage option. Pelosi said she was “hopeful” for a bill by Thanksgiving.
Hendricks said she hopes the new bill will prevent other young people from suffering from experiences similar to her own.
“I’m 28 now, and still battling with health insurance. If I had been able to stay on my parent’s insurance until I was 27 at the time of my diagnosis I could have received the care I needed and know today, with a doubt, that I’m cancer-free.”
The bill would not impact young adults under 27 who are not covered by a parents’ health plan.