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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Mark Longietti |
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Bill extending parents' health coverage to older children to become law
HARRISBURG, May 13 – State Rep. Mark Longietti announced today that a Senate version of legislation he introduced to extend parents' health insurance coverage to their uninsured children through age 29 is set to become law.
Both Longietti's bill (H.B. 838) and the Senate bill (S.B. 189) would allow uninsured children up to age 29 to be added to a parent or guardian's employer-paid health coverage. Under Longietti's bill, the insured person would be able to exercise this option at any time during the term of the policy. Employers would not be required to contribute to any premium increase that resulted, but could agree to do so.
The Senate version of the bill, which passed the House Tuesday and is on its way to the governor, differs in that it gives the policy holder – usually the parent's or guardian's employer – the right to decide if an adult child is added to the policy. The Senate bill also requires the employee to pay the cost of adding the dependent child to the coverage, with the cost determined by the insurer.
"I am disappointed with some of the differences between the Senate proposal and my legislation," said Longietti, D-Mercer. "I believe those differences reduce the reach and effectiveness of the bill. However, the Senate refuses to take action on my bill, and the legislation we did pass will help thousands of young adults in Pennsylvania get coverage through their parent's health insurance policies while they are in school or working their first job."
Longietti said extending parents' insurance coverage to young adults is critical since many young people are staying in school longer and pursuing advanced degrees in order to compete in today's job market. That means they may not be able to obtain health insurance until their late 20s. In addition, many young adults begin their careers in jobs that do not offer health benefits.
Longietti said the Senate legislation will give many of these young adults an opportunity to secure affordable health-care coverage.
Senate Bill 189 now heads to the governor for his signature.
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