The New Affordable Healthcare Act And Its Affect On Our Children

I am very excited about the new health care act for a couple of reasons. First, being a parent of a twenty-three year old son who is a full-time college student, with a part-time job, and no insurance coverage, it is such a relief to be in position to get medical coverage for him.    Although, I made provisions to get him all the necessary medical care needed without coverage, it is such a frightening feeling thinking that something could happen to him and I was unable to afford medical care. 

Under the Affordable Care Act, I can now add my twenty-three year old son to my health insurance policy until he turns 26 years old.  Before this health care law, insurance companies would remove enrolled children at age 19, unless they were full-time students. Now, most health plans that cover children must make coverage available to children up to age 26. By allowing children to stay on a parent's plan, the law makes it easier and more affordable for young adults to get health insurance coverage.

It’s wonderful to know that your child can have medical coverage under his/her parent’s plan  even if they are, married, not living with you, attending school, not financially dependent on you, and eligible to enroll in their employer’s plan.

I spoke to a man the other day whose son was suddenly stricken with an illness that sent him to the hospital for several weeks.  After series of test and hospital care he received a bill for over $100,000.  He said he thank god for the new healthcare plan and don’t know what he would have done without it.

How has this part of the New Affordable Healthcare Plan affected your life?  Do you think that it is a positive or a negative to the accountability of our children becoming more responsible for their lives?

http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/rights/youngadults/