Americans in their 20s are one of the
largest segments of the population lacking sufficient
health insurance coverage.
In 2004, nearly 14 million Americans between 19 and
29 years old were uninsured, according to a report by
the Commonwealth Fund.
The findings, based on data from government and
Commonwealth Fund surveys, suggest that the age of 19 or
just after graduation from high school or college are
crucial turning points in young Americans' health
insurance coverage. At these ages, private and public
health plans often cut off health benefits.
Dependents who were covered under their parents'
employer-sponsored insurance are usually dropped at
age 18 or 19 if they are not full-time students.
The result is that the health insurance coverage
problem is most acute among low-income young adults, who
often do not attend college and frequently have jobs
with no health insurance benefits.
At any given time, 40 percent of 19- to 23-year-olds
who do not attend college or are part-time students have
no health insurance.
But even many college graduates face a significant
period without health insurance, the study authors say.
Of students who graduated between 1996 and 2000, they
report, 38 percent were uninsured for at least part of
the following year, with 21 percent going without
coverage for six months or longer.