TOPICS
TOPICS
Bill would allow kids to remain in the federal employee health plan longer
A House lawmaker has reintroduced a bill that would raise the age limit for coverage of dependent children under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program by three years.
The bill (H.R. 2978), introduced by Rep. Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., would increase the cutoff age for coverage of unmarried dependent children from 22 to 25.
Davis said the measure is aimed at reducing financial strains on families, which have been made worse by the recession. "It is our hope that this legislation will reduce the cost and lighten the burden of health care for federal workers, while extending health protection for families," he said.
Labor groups have said 22 is too young to stop coverage because many children still rely on their parents for support as they make the transition from school to full-time jobs with health benefits.
"Young adults without health insurance are a serious and growing health care issue," said Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union. "These young adults are frequently in college, or out of school but with no job, or they have a job that does not have health benefits."
The bill was referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Davis introduced identical legislation in 2008, but it never made it out of committee.
H.R. 2978 also would raise the age limit for coverage of dependent grandchildren from 22 to 25. According to the Office of Personnel Management, unmarried grandchildren qualify for FEHBP benefits if they are living with and being cared for by the enrollee, and the enrollee is their main source of financial support.
COMMENTS
- i would like to say to a couple people that they have things completely wrong and should look at certain situations through the young adults eyes. First, to Jim posted on June 30th, 09, Im completely an adult and pay for everything on my own except for insurance! Just because im in college and cant afford to pay the outragious costs of an indiviual plan does NOT mean i am not a adult. Second to, Rob, posted June 29th, 09, like i said before i pay for everything on mine own except insurance, i am not single, nor do i have an illigimate children, and i only live at home due to the fact that i am in college to become a nurse so that one day i can save sorry SOBs like yourself. This new law will put many students and families minds at ease while they finish up their education. Yes, i believe that young adults over the age of 22 that are not still in school full-time should be kicked off their health insurance as they do not have circumstances limiting them from getting a full time job that would in able them to pay for a decent plan. Try and be more respectful of those young adults who are going to college to help better this world in the future and quite possibly save your life someday. Nursing student Posted October 4, 2009 6:00 PM
- I'm surprised that the age limit currently stands at 22. Most private policies carry dependent, full-time students through the age of 24. M. Klein Posted September 28, 2009 8:01 AM
- This is long overdue change for Federal Employees. OPM has failed to act to change this because it is currently written into the law and has to have a legislative change. Bush Administration chose to ignore the need even when supposedly trying to change employee benefits to help with recruitment. They also stole a billion a year from us with the Medicare D supplement that we were supposed to get but Bush administration refused to allow OPM to apply for. Many states require insurance coverage up to age 25, most large plans cover children to age 25 and Military is already covered to age 23 this bill would raise Military to 25 also. Many have commented above not knowing the facts. Even the insurance companies agree the cost of doing this is minimal. The premiums would be negotiated as they are currently so it is not a golden freebie. Dbloomer Posted September 27, 2009 12:41 PM
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