[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 26, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H3829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONTINUE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE OF CHILDREN UNTIL AGE 26

  (Mr. COURTNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, on May 7 United Technologies Corporation, 
the largest private employer in the State of Connecticut, announced 
that they were going to take advantage of the health care reform law 
and extend age 26 coverage to all their employees' families. A few days 
later, Mohegan Sun Casino, which employs 10,000 in the State of 
Connecticut, made the same decision.
  Prior to health care reform, during graduation time, graduating 
students get a diploma in one hand and a notice from their parents' 
insurer that they are being kicked off their parents' insurance 
coverage. Because of health care reform, 1.2 million up to age 26 
Americans will now be able to use their parents' health insurance.
  For the voices who call for repeal, I challenge them to tell those 
families that we should repeal that provision and kick their kids off 
health insurance.
  In a few days, we are going to pass a Defense authorization bill 
which will extend age 26 coverage for TRICARE so that military families 
will also be able to insure their kids up to age 26. That's why health 
care reform was needed in this country. We are going to provide 14 
million young adults with health insurance coverage by 2014. It is 
because we took that step that we are going to provide access to that 
population.

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