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The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is pleased to highlight news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing that the Affordable Care Act continues to significantly increase the number of young adults who have health insurance.
Before the Affordable Care Act, more young Americans lacked health insurance than any other age group - accounting for more than one in five of the uninsured. Going without insurance put the health and finances of millions of young people at risk.
Contrary to the myth that young people don't need health insurance, one in six young adults has a chronic disease like cancer, diabetes or asthma. Studies show that nearly half of uninsured young adults reported problems paying their medical bills and others forwent regular care, like checkups or recommended screenings, due to cost.
President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act to put affordable, quality health insurance back within reach of all Americans. Thanks to the new law, young adults can now stay on their parents’ plan up to age 26.
Originally, HHS projected that 1.24 million young adults would gain coverage in 2011 as a result of this part of the law. The actual numbers far exceed initial expectations. The CDC recently announced that 2.5 million young adults now have health coverage, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.
In Pennsylvania, that means an estimated 65,000 young Americans have access to health care because of the new law.
“We often think that young people are invincible, but the reality is of course that they are not, and the ability to have adequate health insurance as they start their careers or finish up their education means they are able to pursue their dreams, and begin their careers without the financial burden of paying for health insurance they can’t afford, or worse, going without it and risking crippling medical bills if something happens to them,” said Rep. Chaka Fattah.
“We are very excited that 65,000 young people in Pennsylvania are already seeing the benefits of President Obama's health reforms that we fought hard to pass last year.”
Health care reform does more than just expand coverage. It also puts an end to insurance company abuses. Already, insurance companies cannot use a lifetime cap or cancel coverage when someone gets sick and millions of Americans can get preventive care without copays or cost-sharing. And, soon, it will be illegal for insurance companies to refuse to cover someone with pre-existing conditions.
The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is pleased to highlight news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing that the Affordable Care Act continues to significantly increase the number of young adults who have health insurance.
Before the Affordable Care Act, more young Americans lacked health insurance than any other age group - accounting for more than one in five of the uninsured. Going without insurance put the health and finances of millions of young people at risk.
Contrary to the myth that young people don't need health insurance, one in six young adults has a chronic disease like cancer, diabetes or asthma. Studies show that nearly half of uninsured young adults reported problems paying their medical bills and others forwent regular care, like checkups or recommended screenings, due to cost.
President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act to put affordable, quality health insurance back within reach of all Americans. Thanks to the new law, young adults can now stay on their parents’ plan up to age 26.
Originally, HHS projected that 1.24 million young adults would gain coverage in 2011 as a result of this part of the law. The actual numbers far exceed initial expectations. The CDC recently announced that 2.5 million young adults now have health coverage, thanks to the Affordable Care Act.
In Pennsylvania, that means an estimated 65,000 young Americans have access to health care because of the new law.
“We often think that young people are invincible, but the reality is of course that they are not, and the ability to have adequate health insurance as they start their careers or finish up their education means they are able to pursue their dreams, and begin their careers without the financial burden of paying for health insurance they can’t afford, or worse, going without it and risking crippling medical bills if something happens to them,” said Rep. Chaka Fattah.
“We are very excited that 65,000 young people in Pennsylvania are already seeing the benefits of President Obama's health reforms that we fought hard to pass last year.”
Health care reform does more than just expand coverage. It also puts an end to insurance company abuses. Already, insurance companies cannot use a lifetime cap or cancel coverage when someone gets sick and millions of Americans can get preventive care without copays or cost-sharing. And, soon, it will be illegal for insurance companies to refuse to cover someone with pre-existing conditions.
