ISSUE: Health insurance for post teens

OUR VIEW: Extending coverage via parents needed legislation

More than 47 million Americans have no health insurance. Among them are far too many young people who are covered while teenagers and young college students but lose their parents’ coverage because of age and status.

In South Carolina, according to Cover the Uninsured S.C., nearly 42 percent of people ages 18 to 24 lack health insurance. The age group is twice as likely to be uninsured than all South Carolinians.

South Carolina senators are ready to do something about the matter.

This past week, the upper chamber unanimously passed S. 1010, the Health Care Accessibility for Young Americans Act. The measure will require insurance companies to extend families’ health insurance policies for young adults and military veterans.

Currently young adults are eligible to remain on their families’ policies only if they are full-time students in college. They are dropped from policies if they are part-time students or enter the work force.

According to the measure’s primary sponsor, state Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Richland/Kershaw, the bill aims to extend the period of time young adults are covered by their parent’s policies.

“By passing this legislation, the General Assembly is making it easier for young adults to buy affordable health insurance”, Lourie said. “I am pleased with the bi-partisan response from the Senate and hope we can get it passed in the House before the session adjourns.”

Twenty-one states have similar plans in place to extend families’ health coverage to young adults.

S.1010 also has provisions to extend health coverage for young men and women who return from active military status. An individual who is honorably discharged from the military following an active duty tour can return to their parents’ existing health insurance policies for up to three years.

Bill co-sponsor and Richland Sen. Darrell Jackson has said:

“Families across South Carolina will benefit from this responsible measure as young adults should not be penalized for making decisions that meet their individual needs. Access to health insurance is a growing crisis here in South Carolina and across the country. This is a proactive and responsible plan that will address this problem. Young people should not be faced with financial ruin if they get sick so early in their adult lives.”

The House should move to expedite the legislation. Every day means more time passes with more people uninsured.

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