Congresswoman Matsui Announces 2.5 Million Additional Young Adults With Health Coverage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
CONTACT: ALANA JUTEAU
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Announces 2.5 Million Additional Young Adults With Health Coverage
Thanks to Health Care Law, More Young Adults Ages 19 to 25 Have Insurance
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced that new data released today from the Department of Health and Human Services shows that the health care law has enabled 2.5 million more young adults get health insurance. A provision in the law that took effect in September 2010 allows young adults to stay on their parents' health insurance plans until age 26. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, since September 2010, the percentage of adults aged 19 to 25 covered by a private insurance plan has increased significantly, with approximately 2.5 million more young adults with insurance coverage compared to the number of young adults who would have been insured without the law.
Congresswoman Matsui released the following statement on the news:
"The health care law is showing benefits for all Americans, young and old alike. Thanks to the law, 2.5 million more young people now have health coverage, as well as the care and peace of mind they need as they begin their careers. This comes a week after the Centers for Medicare andamp; Medicaid Services announced that the health care law has saved seniors across the nation over $1.5 billion in Medicare prescription drug costs.
"If the Republican Majority had succeeded in repealing the health care law, many of these 2.5 million young adults would be without coverage. They would be subjected to the open market and would be without the health care law's safeguards that prohibit insurers from dropping people from coverage when they get sick, placing lifetime limits on coverage, and denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions.
"The law puts the American people, rather than health insurance companies, back in charge of their care, and is already benefitting seniors, young adults, small businesses, and families. Its reforms must be maintained so that all Americans can have access to the care they need."
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