Legislature(2007 - 2008)BELTZ 211
03/18/2008 01:30 PM Senate LABOR & COMMERCE
Audio | Topic |
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Start | |
SB297 | |
HB65 | |
SB263 | |
SB179 | |
Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ | SB 179 | TELECONFERENCED | |
*+ | SB 263 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | SB 297 | TELECONFERENCED | |
+= | HB 65 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 179-DEPENDENT HEALTH INSURANCE; AGE LIMIT 2:47:07 PM CHAIR ELLIS announced SB 179 to be up for consideration. 2:47:11 PM THOMAS OBERMEYER, staff to Senator Davis, sponsor of SB 179, said this measure requires family health care insurance coverage for dependent children who are less than 26 years of age. He read the following sponsor statement: Young adults, ages 19-29, are one of the largest growing segments of the U.S. population without health care insurance. In 2004, almost 14 million young adults lacked coverage, an increase of 2.5 million since 2000. This rapid change is due in part to their losing coverage under their parents' policies at 19 or Medicaid or State Children's Health Insurance Program or graduation from high school or college. Almost half of college graduates and high school graduates who do not go to college would be uninsured for a substantial time after graduation. Age 19 is a crucial year in health insurance coverage. Both public and private insurance plans treat this age as a turning point for insurance coverage. Even if youth go on to college, parents' insurance plans, they often stop before graduation. Almost all private universities and about one-fourth of public universities require health insurance as a condition of enrollment. Forty percent of part-time students and non-students and 20 percent of full-time students ages 19-23 are uninsured... Insurance coverage is important for this generally healthy group of young adults who should be encouraged to start taking responsibility for their own health care. It has been found that 14 percent of adults 18- 29 are obese, an increase of 70 percent in the 1990s, the fastest rate of increase among adults. There are 3.5 million pregnancies each year among the 21 million women ages 19-29. One-third of all diagnoses of HIV are made among young adults; emergency room visits are far more common among young adults than children or older adults. Most young adults have no regular doctor, no link to the health care system, and more than one-third of those who do require medical attention are often saddled with debt and collection agencies. States are taking action to mandate coverage for young adults often allowing for targeted policy options. For example, in 2006 New Jersey required most group health plans to cover single adult dependents up to age 30. Massachusetts as part of its expanded health insurance law in 2006 considered dependents for insurance purposes up to age 25 or for two years after they are no longer claimed on their parents' tax returns. Since 1994, Utah has required coverage through age 26 and New Mexico provides coverage for unmarried dependents up to age 25 regardless of school enrollment. Texas in 2003 allowed full-time students to be covered by their parents' insurance plans to age 25. It's not uncommon or unreasonable, therefore, that SB 179 would require offering family health insurance coverage to dependent children up to age 26. 2:52:00 PM SENATOR BUNDE asked if there is a separate definition of dependent child for insurance purposes. MR. OBERMEYER answered that the IRS defines a dependent as a person whose parents are contributing to half their costs. Most plans require parents with children in the student situation to prove they are students by submitting registration documentation. A definition of dependent is in each policy. SENATOR BUNDE said it would be important to hear from the director of the Division of Insurance. He wanted to know if requiring this coverage would mean the parents would be saddled with expensive premiums. MR. OBERMEYER answered SB 179 has an indeterminate fiscal note. Because Medicaid is the last resort, this could result in a savings for the Medicaid program for children who are not currently covered by third-party insurance. However, these savings could be reduced if mandatory coverage of an older dependent increases the cost of health insurance and leads employers and individuals to drop coverage. Most college students are very healthy and don't require a lot of care. But when that one time comes up, this could provide coverage without burdening the family with a $2,400-policy just for the one child. SENATOR BUNDE said this wouldn't necessarily affect a state employee, but it might affect a privately employed person who would be faced with higher premiums because of the expanded coverage. MR. OBERMEYER replied that could be true, but it may still be cheaper than providing double coverage for both or not having any coverage at all for the child - which occurs to a great number of young people. CHAIR ELLIS found no one else to testify and said he would hold SB 179 for another hearing. There being no further business to come before the committee, he adjourned the meeting at 2:57:50 PM.
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