SC Senate Passes Health Care Accessibility for Young Americans Act
Columbia, SC - Today the South Carolina Senate 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 workforce. According
to the measure's primary sponsor, state Senator Joel Lourie
(D-Richland/Kershaw) the bill aims to extend the period of time young adults
are covered by their parent's health insurance policies.
"By passing this legislation, the General Assembly is making it easier for
young adults to buy affordable health insurance", said Lourie. "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" Lourie added.
Twenty-one states have similar plans in place to extend families' health
coverage to young adults. In South Carolina, 40% of 18-25 year olds have no
health insurance.
"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" said Senator Darrell Jackson (D-Richland), a co-sponsor of
the legislation.
S.1010 also has provisions to extend health coverage for young men and women
who return from active military status.
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