Letter to Student Body Presidents Regarding Health Insurance for Young Adults

April 20, 2011

Dear Student Body President:

As students and families gather for commencement ceremonies around the country, we want to ask that you help make sure that graduating students have important information regarding their health.

Previously, graduation day was the day when millions of young adults lost their health insurance, making them one of the most vulnerable groups of Americans in the health insurance market.  The new health reform law allows most young adults to join or remain on their parents’ health care plan until their 26^th birthday.

Americans in their twenties are almost twice as likely to go without health insurance as older adults.  And young adults who go without health insurance may be one accident or illness away from a lifetime of medical bills and debt.  

They do not have to worry about this anymore.  The health reform law now makes it possible for young adults to remain on their parents’ health care plan until their 26^th birthday if the policy covers dependent children.  This is true regardless of whether they are unemployed, looking for a job, married, in school, living at home, or even if they are employed, but their employer does not offer coverage.  That is why we are writing to you and encouraging you to ensure that graduating students are aware of this new option to get health care coverage.

We have produced materials that provide students and their families with the information they need to retain their health insurance, or to shift from a student health plan to their parents’ plan.  There are simple steps you can take to help deliver this information to your fellow students:

• Place a “badge” on the home page of your Student Association Web site that automatically links to information about how students can remain on their parents’ health insurance plan.  Download the badge by visiting www.healthcare.gov/stay_connected.html#ya.
• Distribute flyers about this new benefit around campus and places where students frequently gather like the library or student union.  Download a sample flyer by visiting www.healthcare.gov/news/brochures/new_benefits_for_graduates_and_young_adults.pdf.
• Host a session to explain insurance options to your fellow students.  Please e-mail externalaffairs@hhs.gov if you would like assistance building your event.
• Encourage your fellow students to visit our Facebook page with information for young adults and parents about coverage for individuals under age 26.  That can be found at: www.facebook.com/youngadultcoverage.

Working together, we can help ensure more students and new alumni are protected in case of a health emergency and have the coverage they need to stay healthy.  We stand ready to assist you in the weeks and months ahead.