New data released today shows that 2.5 million more young adults are covered by health insurance due to health care reform, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Traditionally, young adults have been the population least likely to have health insurance. To address this, the ACA ensured starting in September 2010, that all young adults are able to stay on their parents’ health insurance coverage through age 26.

The National Centers for Health Statistics, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, analyzed the data from September 2010 through June 2011, and found that the percentage of 19-25 year olds with health insurance coverage increased from 64% to 73%, which translates to an additional 2.5 million young people.

At a time when we’re increasingly hearing about the difficult job market for young people, it helps to know that parent’s health insurance coverage is still an option. This “big policy gift” from the ACA is one 2.5 million young adults and their families are incredibly thankful for this holiday season.

Stay tuned for a blog later this week on another gift from the ACA. Also, check out our friends at the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health, who are blogging about “12 Days of Gifts from the ACA.”

Sara Eskrich