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Rep. Dahlkemper Introduces “Young Invincibles” Healthcare Bill

By THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSWOMAN KATHY DAHLKEMPER (D-3)

WASHINGTON – As Congress prepares to overhaul our nation’s healthcare system, U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-3), Chairwoman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Regulations and Healthcare, introduced her first piece of legislation, the Young Adult Healthcare Coverage Act of 2009 (H.R. 2831), to address an often overlooked segment of the uninsured: young adults.

This bipartisan, no-cost legislation will provide young adults aged 19-29 the option to gain access to their parent’s or guardian’s health insurance.   Known as the “young invincibles”, this demographic has the highest uninsured rate of any group in the country at 31%.

“Far too many young adults remain uninsured, leading to extreme or haphazard measures such as borrowing leftover prescription drugs from a friend or setting their own broken bones,” said Chairwoman Dahlkemper.  “Especially in this current economic climate, recent high school and college graduates are starting out in jobs that do not offer health coverage or are losing the jobs that do.  Oftentimes, these men and women end up in the emergency room for basic medical care at taxpayer expense.”

In many cases, young adults often lose their health insurance if they are covered under their parent’s or guardian’s policy upon high school graduation, college graduation, or at age nineteen.  In fact, ordinary transitions in and out of school and jobs throughout their twenties oftentimes affect this age group’s ability to attain new health insurance coverage.

Nearly 30 states have already enacted legislation to extend dependent coverage.  New Jersey was the first state to reach up to age 30.  Pennsylvania is poised to become the next state to do so as a bill passed the State House192-2 in May and was signed by the Governor on June 10.

“Instead of a state-by-state patchwork, this bill creates a uniform nation-wide standard to cover this highly vulnerable age range”, said Rep. Dahlkemper.  “Addressing the needs of this age group is a critical piece of the health care puzzle that will help reduce costs, preserve a patient’s right to choose their doctor, and expand quality, affordable health care to all Americans.”

BACKGROUND ON H.R. 2831

The Young Adult Healthcare Coverage Act of 2009 would apply to employer-sponsored health insurance coverage through Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and through individual health insurance coverage.

To qualify for the coverage, the 19-29 year old individual must demonstrate their inability to access health care elsewhere, have no dependents themselves, be unmarried, and a citizen or national of the United States.

The effective date of this bill is 90 days after its enactment.

Currently, legislation has ten co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle, including:

Rep. Leonard Lance (R-NJ)*

Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ)*

Rep. Charles Dent (R-PA)*

Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA)

Rep. Roberty A. Brady (D-PA)*

Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA)*

Rep. Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly (D-VA)*

Rep. James A. Himes (D-CT)*

Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT)

Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL)

* denotes original co-sponsor.

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June 17, 2009 at 9:47 am

--pa2010.com Staff

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