An overwhelming majority of young adults across the political spectrum —88 percent—think it is important for Congress and the President to pass healthcare reform legislation that would assure affordable health insurance for all and improve healthcare, according to a Commonwealth Fund survey. The survey, conducted by the private foundation supporting independent research on healthcare policy reform, found that nearly half—45 percent—or approximately 20 million young adults between the ages of 19 and 29 were uninsured at some time during the past year.

 

Key transition times of high school and college graduation put young adults at significant risk of losing their health coverage, according to Commonwealth Fund researchers. Forty-five percent of young adults who had insurance in high school lost their insurance or had to change insurance coverage when they graduated from high school. Similarly, two-thirds of young people who had insurance while they were in college had to change coverage or lost their health insurance completely when they graduated. High school and college graduates often experienced long periods without insurance: half of high school graduates who either lost or switched coverage at graduation went without coverage for two or more years and more than one-quarter of college graduates who switched or lost coverage were uninsured for two or more years.

 

According to the researchers, several provisions in the House and Senate healthcare reform bills would significantly reduce gaps in health insurance coverage for young adults, including provisions to allow young adults to stay on their parents' insurance longer (until age 26 in the Senate bill and age 27 in the House bill), and the creation of a health insurance exchange that will offer subsidies to help those with low income afford coverage. A key provision in the health care reform bills is expansion of Medicaid to adults, up to 133 percent of the poverty level in the Senate bill, and 150 percent in the bill passed by the House. Expanding Medicaid to 150 percent of poverty could potentially cover 8 million young adults who are currently uninsured.

 

“It is not surprising that a large majority of young adults support health reform—as a group their health insurance situation is unstable and they are at risk of going without needed care and incurring medical debt if they become sick or are injured,” said Commonwealth Fund Vice President and report co-author author Sara Collins. “Young adults stand to benefit significantly from reforms that make health insurance more affordable and protective.”