WASHINGTON -U.S. Rep. Edolphus “Ed” Towns (NY-10) today announced that a growing number of insurance companies will begin to voluntarily provide coverage for young adults under the age of 26.  This announcement precedes the September start date included in the health insurance reform legislation recently signed into law.

The new law, passed by Congress last month, requires health plans to allow young people up to their 26th birthday to remain on their parents’ insurance policy, at the parents’ discretion, effective in September 2010.    

“This announcement represents a major step in the right direction, benefiting more than 60,000 young adults in the 10th district,” said Rep. Towns. “I sincerely hope other insurance companies follow suit and extend to graduating seniors and any uninsured young Americans the peace of mind of an immediate offer of coverage.”

For American families, the historic health care overhaul expands access to more affordable coverage. It also provides greater accountability to end the worst practices of the insurance industry; creates greater innovation and competiveness in our economy; and instills greater stability and security for seniors, students, workers, and entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Yesterday evening, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and Kaiser Permanente have joined WellPoint and United Healthcare in voluntarily closing any possible gap in coverage between now and the Fall — when the under age 26 provision becomes effective.

Rep. Towns concluded,  “Young people are the most likely to be uninsured, with 47 percent of those age 19 to 24 having gone without health insurance at some point last year. Offering young people this essential coverage now will help to provide stability and security to the most uninsured age group in America.”  

Click here for more information on eight ways that health reform works for young adults.  

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