Why can’t families continue coverage for family members, such as children, as long as they want to?  Because insurers have the ability to “push” people out into higher risk groups, where they can charge more, or more easily deny coverage for pre-existing conditions.  This practice MUST be stopped.  The fact that only 18 states have laws allowing some type of coverage continuation speaks volumes to the need for federal regulation of the health insurance industry and an end to this onerous practice . . . jomaxx

Recent college graduates face challenges in obtaining health coverage.

An article on the front page of its Personal Journal section, the Wall Street Journal (see link below) reports that with the economy weakening, and entry-level jobs that offer health coverage harder to find, some recent graduates are coming up with creative ways to protect themselves. Stories of graduates who re-enrolled in college, without attending class, to stay on their parents’ insurance, and continued their parents’ coverage, “at a steep price,” through COBRA. Others “opted for a high-deductible” individual policy, and avoided routine visits that are not covered, or went “without insurance altogether, and hope[d] for the best.” The Journal notes that “[a]t least 18 states have enacted laws that require insurers to allow parents to extend coverage for older dependents, often whether they are in college or not.” For young people who do not reside in those states, or “who aren’t claimed by their parents as dependents,” other options include Medicaid and short-term insurance offered through some alumni associations.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121365626631779015.html.html