The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced in a conference call yesterday that data illustrating the number of young adults who have health insurance has increased by 3.5 percent — nearly 1 million individuals — compared to a year ago.
Data from the National Health Interview Survey show that in the first quarter of 2011, the percentage of adults between the ages of 19 and 25 with health insurance increased to 69.6 percent, from 66.1 percent in 2010. The data was compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Secretary Sebelius said a newly released Gallup survey shows a significant increase in rates of insured adults ages 18-25, from 71.0 percent in the first quarter of 2010 to 75.1 percent in the second quarter of 2011.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Census Bureau released its results from the Current Population Survey, describing insurance coverage for the 2010 calendar year, which found that roughly 400,000 additional adults ages 19-25 were insured during 2010 compared to 2009, Sebelius said.
“Overall, these three national surveys show a consistent pattern of expanded health coverage among young adults due to the Affordable Care Act,” Sherry Glied, the HHS assistant secretary for planning and evaluation said. “The law helped many young adults get the health insurance they need, and it is continuing to expand insurance coverage to uninsured Americans all across the country.”
“As a mom, I know how scary it is to think about what could happen to your kids if they go without health care coverage, which is what makes today’s news so important,” Sebelius said. “Thanks to the Affordable Care Act hundreds of thousands more young people have the health care coverage they need. That’s really a great achievement considering over a year ago they were one of the most vulnerable groups.”
Sebelius said because of a lack of health care, many individuals don’t receive necessary check-ups and appointments that would ensure good health.
From January through March 2011, 46.5 million Americans of all ages were uninsured.
“The economic downturn has taken a toil on young people,” she said. “The good news is that today there are people who aren’t living with that fear or uncertainty. It gives them freedom. Freedom to make choices.”
Sebelius said she is “disappointed” in the actions of certain members of Congress.
“It’s very disappointing to hear people in Congress say they are thinking about repealing the law and taking away that security,” she said. “The Affordable Health Care Act has put our country on the right track to a bright future.”
Jennifer Mishory, Deputy Director of the Young Invincibles, said yesterday’s announcement is “fantastic news.”
“As we engage with our members around the country, we hear stories about how their lives have changed,” Mishory said. “A story that comes to mind is that of a young lady from Texas who has been diagnosed with lupus and she was denied by insurance programs before and now she’s able to join her parents’ plan and she will no longer have to face discrimination against her pre-existing conditions.”
