Washington—Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-3) today announced that the House health care reform legislation, which is currently being finalized, will include a provision based on her original legislation, The Young Adults Healthcare Coverage Act of 2009.

In a press conference with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Assistant to the Speaker Chris Van Hollen, and representatives from major youth advocacy groups, Congresswoman Dahlkemper announced that young adults up to age 27 will have access to their parents’ health insurance plans under the House’s health care reform bill.

“The Young Adult Health Care Coverage Act is a no-cost, common-sense solution to this nationwide problem. 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,” Dahlkemper said.

Thirty states, including Pennsylvania, already have an extended dependent health care coverage option. Dahlkemper’s legislation creates continuity in the national health care system, so young adults from every state will have the option to retain coverage under their parents.

Below is Congresswoman Dahlkemper’s statement at the press conference:

“Thank you very much. And it is wonderful to see so many of our young adults here today.
“I certainly want to thank Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Van Hollen for their leadership in making health care reform the premier issue and a reality for Americans.

“The speaker and House leadership have made great efforts to include those of us who are freshmen here in this health care debate, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to truly make a real difference in how this legislation has developed. So again, thank you to both of you for your leadership and your mentoring and your support.

“The Young Adult Health Care Coverage Act was the first piece of legislation that I introduced in Congress. My proposal gives young adults ages 19 through 26 access to their parents’ health care insurance during a time when many cannot afford individual insurance plans or are not covered through their employers.

“Thirty states already have some form of extended dependent coverage for young adults. My legislation would give young people from every state the option to stay on their parents’ coverage, creating continuity in our national health care system.

“There is a clear and urgent need to provide health insurance coverage to our young adults.
“As we've said, 31 percent of our young adults, ages 19 to 29, do not have health care coverage. That's the highest uninsured rate of any age group in the nation.

“That means that, when these young people are faced with a medical emergency, their care often comes at the taxpayer’s expense or not at all.

“One young man I know seriously injured his ankle. He did not have health care coverage. He borrowed a pair of crutches, and for two months, could not walk. And his ankle has never healed properly.

“Not only do young people take these kind of extreme measures to forego medical bills that they cannot afford; they are also missing important preventative care, such as an annual exam.

“Our young people should not have to jeopardize their health. And our taxpayers should not have to pay when there is really a simple means to provide young adults with health insurance.

“The Young Adult Health Care Coverage Act is a no-cost, common-sense solution to this nationwide problem.

“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.

“It keeps their medical bills off the taxpayers’ burden, and it can even help drive down health insurance premiums by adding a large number of low-risk individuals to the health insurance pool.

“The Young Adult Health Care Coverage provision is a critical piece of the overall health care puzzle that will help reduce costs, expand quality, affordable health care to all Americans.

“And I thank everyone who has been in support of this, and those here today who helped to make this possible.

“Yesterday, I spoke at home to a group of college students at Mercyhurst College. They asked me two very important questions. First, they asked me how they could have their voices heard. And I told them to go out and vote, which many of these young people here did in great numbers during the last election.

“And they also asked me about what they could do about coverage as they graduate. And I talked about this piece of legislation, and that we were listening to them and working towards this important piece of legislation in the overall health care reform provisions.

“So I want to thank again the speaker, Congressman Van Hollen and all those who helped to make this possible, today. And certainly want to thank the young people here today for bringing your voice out and making it heard through this piece of legislation.”