Obama's Health Care Reform Benefits 2.5 Million Young Americans

Young Adults Can Stay On Parents Insurance Until 26

The controversial health care legislation that allows young adults to stay on their parents' insurance through age 26 has benefited about 2.5 million young Americans since last year, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday.

The bill, known as the Affordable Care Act, was singed into law in March 2010 as part of President Obama's healthcare reform package, and went into effect in September 2010.

Before its existence, young adults aged 19-25, had traditionally been the group least likely to have health insurance -- about 30% of young adults were uninsured, according to the United States Department of Labor.

With its passing, persons in this group have had the option to remain on their parent's plans through age 26.

CNN reports:

The new estimates show that by the following June, the percentage of insured young people in that age group rose from 64% to 73%, Health and Human Services said. Based on census figures, that percentage change equates to about 2.5 million young people, the agency said.

In a statement released Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said, "moms and dads around the country can breathe a little easier knowing their children are covered."

The Obama administration trumpeted the increased figure as a sign that the controversial legislation is succeeding.