[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 24363]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  YOUNG ADULT HEALTH CARE COVERAGE ACT

  (Mrs. DAHLKEMPER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. DAHLKEMPER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to speak on behalf of the 
age group that boasts the highest uninsured rate in our country, our 
young adults. Young adults, those between 19 and 29 years old, are more 
frequently without insurance than any other age group. At 31 percent 
uninsured, nearly one in three 18- to 29-year-olds are without health 
insurance. This gap in coverage occurs when young people graduate from 
school or reach an age limit imposed by insurance companies that do not 
allow them access to their parents' health insurance plans.
  Young adults entering the workforce often take jobs that lack 
benefits or cannot afford them on their own. The Young Adult Health 
Care Coverage Act would give these young adults access to their 
parents' health insurance during these transition years when it is so 
difficult to maintain coverage on their own. This bill is a no-cost 
bipartisan solution to the problem of young adults without health 
insurance.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bill and to support health care 
reform to provide quality health care for all Americans.

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