HEALTH INSURANCE CRISIS FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Young adults, ages 19 to 29, are among the largest segments of the U.S. population without health insurance: 13.7 million lacked coverage in 2006. Many lose coverage at age 19 or upon high school or college graduation. Several states have passed laws to expand coverage of dependents up to age 24 or 25 under parents insurance policies. This policy change, in addition to two others–extending eligibility for public insurance programs beyond age 18 and ensuring that colleges require and offer coverage to full- and part-time students–could help uninsured young adults gain coverage and prevent others from losing it. EPI researcher Elise Gould co-authored a report exploring the issue, which was recently published by the Commonwealth Fund.