The Affordable Healthcare Act starts covering college students now

By Contributor
March 23rd, 2011
Section: Opinions

By Hilda L. Solis

A year ago this week, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. The law enacts significant health insurance reforms that will take effect over the next several years. But one very important piece of that law is already in place.  And it may directly benefit you.

The Affordable Care Act ensures that college students and young adults can stay on their parents’ employer-provided health care plans until age 26.  Before, many health plans and issuers dropped young adults from their parents’ policies because of their age. That left countless college students, recent college graduates and other young people with little recourse, and worse: no health insurance.  Historically, some 30 percent of young adults have been uninsured, a rate far higher than that of any other age group.

But young people don’t need health insurance, right?  The statistics say otherwise: one-in-six young adults today is faced with a chronic illness such as cancer, diabetes or asthma. And nearly half of uninsured young adults report problems paying medical bills.

The new law ensures you have an option when it comes to your health care. This is important as you continue through school, and as you transition into the job market, since you may find that health care coverage is not immediately available through your employer.  Or you may work part time. You may choose to continue your education and go to graduate school, or take time off to travel and pursue volunteer opportunities.   

It allows you to remain on your parents’ plan, or rejoin it until age 26, even if you no longer live with your parents, are not a dependent on their tax return or are no longer a student. The new flexibility even applies if you are married.  You are guaranteed the same benefits and at the same price that is available to other dependents.

More health care improvements are on the way—and many may also directly benefit you. Already, coverage cannot be denied for those under age 19 because of a pre-existing condition.  By 2014, denying coverage to anyone based on a pre-existing condition will be banned.  Annual dollar caps on care, which are already limited, will be prohibited; and state-based health insurance exchanges will create a new marketplace, giving more employers and millions of Americans the ability to purchase affordable coverage.

The Affordable Care Act is based on the simple belief that every American -and that includes college students- deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care. One year after it has become law, that belief is becoming reality.

top

Disclaimer: The Daily Sundial is not responsible for comments posted on dailysundial.com. In accordance with the Communications Decency Act of 1996 the Sundial is not liable for the content of comments. By commenting, all persons posting on dailysundial.com have agreed to our comment policy. If a comment does not abide by the comment policy the Sundial reserves the right to delete comments without warning. The Daily Sundial advises persons commenting not to abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid comments of hate speech or encouraging violence.

  • David the small-L libertarian

    “Or you may work part time. You may choose to continue your education and go to graduate school, or take time off to travel and pursue volunteer opportunities.”

    Isn’t that great? The gummint has just provided another incentive for people to not grow up. Go ahead, take time off and travel or volunteer, the taxpayers will take care of you. Also, I wonder: What if Mom and Dad don’t want you on their plan? They insist that you go out and get a job. Now what? Will Obama adopt you?

    “The Affordable Care Act is based on the simple belief that every American -and that includes college students- deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care. One year after it has become law, that belief is becoming reality.”

    Oh, and you missed something above: “the simple SOCIALIST belief…”

    • Arogers

      If you were in charge we probably would just dump the sick off the side of a boat if they didn’t have insurance or couldn’t pay. You probably want to close most colleges and universities based on your past comments. I have a job, but I can’t afford the premium and I have a pre-existing condition that most insurance companies have refused to even insure me.

      • David the small-L libertarian

        I probably wouldn’t. One would have to ensure that the water was deep enough, cold enough or far enough away from civilization to ensure that none could survive or be rescued. But seriously…

        C’mon, if you’ve seen my previous posts, I think you’ll find that I believe that there’s a place for government, but it should be the last resort. It’s for those whose needs are beyond the ablity of families, friends and charity to help. That’s not the system we have now and it’s only getting worse because of policys such as the Affordable Care Act, which by the way, is becoming less and less “affordable” to the taxpayers as more is learned about it.

        And yes, I would put up for sale our community colleges and universities. The government has no business in higher education. Private colleges competing against each-other would lower prices and improve education.

        As for your pre-existing condition, because of government regulations you are unable to buy a policy that covers everything but your pre-existing condition. That would at least cover many of your needs but the goverment won’t allow such free-market solutions.

        • Anonymous

          “The government has no business in higher education.”

          Are you implying it does have a place in ‘lower’ education? Elementary, Junior and High Schools?

          • David the small-L libertarian

            No, I’m not. Government-run schools have largely failed at all levels–inefficiencies and incompetence abounds. The government, particularly the federal government, should be out of all education; but I feel particularly strongly about higher education.

          • Guest

            Just making sure there. I thought you might be going progressive on me. Keep up the good work.

          • David the small-L libertarian

            Will do. Thanks. It’s a tough job keeping the liberals at bay, but someone’s got to do it! ;-)

            P.S.: Off topic, but well worth reading, a Wall Street Journal article about the perils of states relying on taxing the rich: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704604704576220491592684626.html

          • Anonymous

            Thank you for the article. Do remember though not to forget that a considerable number of the rich receive subsidy to remain in their position. There are certainly plenty of net tax receivers from the lower and middle classes. These individuals they are not being truly taxed (no more than direct state employees are) for they are part of the larger state apparatus.

            Sometimes when fighting with the liberals for too long we tend to think its a battle between the rich and the poor, when its really one between those who use coercion and those who don’t. I doubt you needed to be reminded though; this is just me being a worry wort.