On May 26, the Commonwealth Fund released a brief examining aspects of the national health care reform law is helping young adults stay covered.  Noting that young adults are one of the groups most at-risk to not obtain health coverage, the brief outlines how the law's dependent coverage extension operates.  In addition, the authors explain how young adults can obtain subsidized health coverage through the law's exchanges or enroll in Medicaid.  Citing recent survey data of young adult health coverage and health care utilization, the brief asserts that expanding young adult health coverage is critical.

From the report:

In the United States it is young adults who are among those most at risk of going without health insurance. According to the most recent U.S. Census data, during 2009 nearly 15 million people ages 19 to 29 (one-third of the people in that age group) were not covered. During the last decade, the number of uninsured young adults climbed by 4 million.  These high uninsured rates are caused in part by young adults being excluded from their parents’ policies when they gradu­ated from high school or college.  Or, if they were insured under Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), they generally aged off this insur­ance at age 19. As new entrants to the labor market, young adults face significant challenges finding full-time employment that carries health benefits.

Full report:  How the Affordable Care Act Is Helping Young Adults Stay Covered (PDF | 996.13 kb)

Commonwealth Fund.  (2011).  How the Affordable Care Act is helping young adults stay covered.  Collins, S., Garber, T. and Robertson, R.