Washington, D.C.– Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva today highlighted a newly announced campaign to educate graduating college students about their expanded access to health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The law allows anyone to remain on their parents’ health care plan until their 26th birthday.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recently sent letters to many of the nation’s college and university presidents, as well as student body presidents, encouraging them to spread the information to students. An estimated 1.2 million young adults are now eligible to stay on their parent’s plans under the provision. In the past, many young adults lost their coverage the day they graduated from college.
“Our health care system works best when people know their rights and what options are available to them, and public education is a crucial part of making that happen,” Grijalva said. “I want to thank both secretaries for their efforts and add my own voice to the call for better information at the school level. This law was designed to make life easier for Americans no matter how much money they make or what they do for a living, and this is a great example of what that means for real families in Arizona and all over the country.”
Americans in their twenties are almost twice as likely to go without health insurance as older adults, making them vulnerable to debt from high medical bills. Grijalva said young adults “should have the coverage and care they need to stay healthy, especially if they’re looking for a job and want to be able to make their own financial and career decisions.”
There are several ways to share the information about the law’s benefits for students.
- Universities or student groups can post a new Web site “badge” that automatically links to information about how students remain on a parent’s health insurance plan. That badge is available at www.healthcare.gov/stay_connected.html#ya.
- Fliers outlining the new benefits are available at www.healthcare.gov/center/brochures/new_benefits_for_graduates_and_young_adults.pdf.
- Information for young adults and parents about coverage for individuals under age 26 is available on a specialized Facebook page at www.facebook.com/youngadultcoverage.
Sebelius’ and Duncan’s letter to university presidents can be found at www.HealthCare.gov/center/letters/under2604202011a.html. The letter to student body presidents can be found at www.HealthCare.gov/center/letters/under2604202011b.html.