Law Gives Young People IncreasedAccess To Health Insurance

Health Committee Chairman Senator Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) has announced a part of the recently adopted New York State Budget which enables health insurance companies to carry individuals under their parent's policy to age 25, instead of age 19 for those who do not to go to college and 23 for those who do. The part of the bill, announced at the Hofstra University Student Center, will be a relief to many parents and young people facing extremely high COBRA costs when their child reaches the age of ineligibility under their plan, but is either still in school or searching for employment. The legislation also assists those young twenty-somethings who are bearing the brunt of their own health insurance costs by enabling them to obtain coverage through their parents.

"We have to be realistic," said Senator Hannon. "With double and triple majors and five-year Masters programs, many of our young people are not graduating college when they are 21 anymore. Burdening them and their families with COBRA costs is unfair."

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, over 2.3 million New Yorkers between ages zero and 64 are without health insurance. Moreover, nationwide, 31% of those between 19 and 29 are uninsured (source: Commonwealth Fund). This compares with 15.5% of all people in the nation being uninsured according to the U.S. Census, as noted in the Nassau County Community Health Assessment.

On Long Island, the monthly premium cost of COBRA for an individual with HMO coverage can reach $946, and $1,559 for those with a Point of Service (non-HMO) plan.

"The cost of COBRA is clear. Forcing young people to expend hundreds of dollars - and even over $1,500 a month - is doing them a disservice by impeding their ability to obtain economic independence," added Senator Hannon.

According to the Nassau County Community Health Assessment, lack of insurance or underinsurance remains a major problem for many of the poor and middle class. Moreover, between 14% and 20% of the County's residents are uninsured or underinsured, including those not legally eligible for public health insurance programs; working adults who do not qualify for public assistance yet do not receive insurance through their employers; and persons who choose not to be insured, such as young adults and students.

This would enable them to choose the option of having insurance.