BALCONY HAILS GOVERNOR PATERSON SIGNING

YOUNG INVINCIBLES HEALTH CARE BILL

The signing into law (July 29, 2009) of a health insurance plan for New York’s young invincibles, those 19-29 year olds, is a fine example of BALCONY and the American Cancer Society successfully bringing together business, labor and health care advocates to reduce the total of New York’s uninsured.

We thank Insurance Committee chairs Senator Neil Breslin and Assemblyman Joseph Morelle for their efforts to pass this worthwhile legislation. We further applaud the New York State Insurance Department for its commitment to finding a creative way to cover our state’s young adults. Finally, we thank Governor David Paterson for signing this bill into law providing health care coverage to an estimated 800,000 currently uninsured young adult New Yorkers.

May New York’s spirit of coalition be copied by the Congress as they formulate a health program to cover all Americans.

Read the Governor’s Press Release here

News Coverage of the new legislation (click here)

Adult children can stay on their parents’ health insurance policy through age 29, laid-off workers can keep insurance longer, and health consumers and care providers get extra rights under three new laws signed in Rochester Wednesday by Gov. David A. Paterson.

Read the complete article.

Forum Report: Uninsured Young Adults Major Concern in New York

Daunting demographics, splintering private sectors and crippling costs stand in the way of a solution to the problems of gaining affordable health insurance for young adults in New York.

Providing health care for New York’s 800,000 uninsured young adults is costing hundreds of millions of dollars a year as youths are utilizing hospital emergency rooms as their primary care physicians. Furthermore, a profound human cost is incurred as the uninsured are vulnerable to potentially catastrophic medical hardships and consequently, economic difficulties. Young people have some of the greatest health needs, but have significantly reduced access to an adequate health system, instead they are faced to combat one that is structurally and fiscally stacked against them.

New York State and the federal government should give priority to developing an affordable choice for providing young adults with health insurance; unfortunately, this issue is clouded by the current uncertain economic times.

Those are some of the insights and conclusions of a special forum on Uninsured Young Adults in New York State organized by BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, and co-sponsored by NYU Wagner Alumni Association, the American Cancer Society, Demos, and Freelancers Union. The forum and public discussion about the lack of health insurance coverage for young adults (ages 19-29) was held October 14, 2008 at the NYU School of Law and drew an audience of more than 100 health care advocates, health care professionals, young adult workers, students, union members and benefit providers. The event featured five panel discussions, and a one-woman award winning performance, Hot Cripple, by Hogan Gorman.

Read the full report (PDF file): Uninsured Young Adults Forum Report

Watch the Public Service Announcements: PSAs

PowerPoint Presentations

1. Jennifer L. Nicholson – Associate Program Officer; The Commonwealth Fund

Title: Rising Numbers of Uninsured Young Adults: Causes, Consequences, and New Policies

2. Robert L. Cafone, MPA, RPA-C – Chief Executive Officer;
Mid Coastal Independent Physician Association

Title: The Young and Uninsured in NY:Impact on Physician Offices

3. Sara Horowitz -

Title: New York’s Uninsured Young Adults: Solutions on the Table