May 1, 2008 8:12 pm US/Eastern
New Law To Ensure Health Coverage For Graduates
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) ―
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A new Maryland law could take much of the stress from students graduating from college without health insurance.
As college seniors approach graduation, their parents often worry how they will keep their child covered by health insurance.
Suzanne Collins reports a new Maryland law could take away that stress.
Graduating college seniors have a lot to worry about. They don't want to think about paying for health insurance.
"When you have cell phone bills and car insurance payments and all these other things to worry about, prescriptions and medical expenses are the last thing on your mind," said Towson senior Allison Burns.
Traditionally, insurance companies refused to cover dependent children if they don't go to college, if they don't attend classes full-time or when they turn 24. But a new Maryland law now requires those companies to cover all dependent children until they are 25.
"That will help thousands of people continue to get healthcare when last year they wouldn't have been able to," said Vinnie DeMarco with Healthcare for All.
Even if you have a young adult who doesn't go to college but gets a low wage job and lives at home, they too can stay on their parents' plan until age 25.
Parents on a campus tour of Towson University say they wished they had a law like that.
"I think that's fabulous because I live in New York and I have a son. I'm already thinking 'what are we going to do when he gets out and before he really gets a full-time job,'" said parent Monica Fleming.
"That's very beneficial. I wish that could happen in Pennsylvania," said Paul Miller.
The delegate who sponsored the law says it won't cost a penny.
"When we add young, healthy people to the insurance pool, it has the added benefit of lowering everyone else's premiums," said Delegate Heather Mizeur.
Supporters wanted to get the word out about the new law because many employees are in open enrollment right now, and they can keep those adult children on their plans.
Maryland's representatives in Congress are trying to get similar bills through federally.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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