Senate Health Committee Chairman, Senator Kemp Hannon, announced a part of the recently adopted New York State budget, which enables health insurance companies to carry individuals under their parent's policy to age 25, instead of age 19 for those who do not go to college and 23 for those who do.

The part of the bill, announced at the Hofstra University Student Center during a June 1 press conference, will be a relief to many parents and young people facing extremely high COBRA costs when their child reaches the age of ineligibility under their plan, but is either still in school or searching for employment. The legislation also assists those young 20-somethings who are bearing the brunt of their own health insurance costs by enabling them to obtain coverage through their parents.

"We have to be realistic," Senator Hannon said. "With double and triple majors and five-year master's programs, many of our young people are not graduating college when they are 21 anymore. Burdening them and their families with COBRA costs is unfair."

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, over 2.3 million New Yorkers between ages zero and 64 are without health insurance. Moreover, nationwide, 31 percent of those between 19 and 29 are uninsured (source: Commonwealth Fund). This compares with 15.5 percent of all people in the nation being uninsured according to the US Census, as noted in the Nassau County Community Health Assessment.

On Long Island, the monthly premium cost of COBRA for an individual with HMO coverage can reach $946, and $1,559 for those with a Point of Service (non-HMO) plan.

"The cost of COBRA is clear. Forcing young people to expend hundreds of dollars - and even over $1,500 a month - is doing them a disservice by impeding their ability to obtain economic independence," Senator Hannon added.

Gregory Blair's son chose to intern and study abroad in India, delaying his graduation. He would be forced to pay COBRA monthly premiums for his son's medical coverage. "My son went to India to study and work abroad for a year, and many other college students are given similar opportunities. We are already paying high college tuition costs. To add his COBRA coverage on top of that would be another financial burden on our family," Blair said. "This new opportunity to obtain coverage with our insurance carrier gives us hope to better our son's well-being and our finances."

As an example of the economic strain already facing families and young people, according to SUNY, the average cost of a four-year SUNY tuition is $5,425 (including fees) per year. The average cost per year for two-year public college tuition is $3,417 (including fees). The College Board lists the average cost of four-year private college tuition in New York State as $24,964 per year.

Andrew Sykora, a 23-year-old Hofstra University student who is working a full-time night job that provides him with health insurance while he completes his studies, added, "Most young people feel they're invincible and when they see the cost of health insurance, many would choose or be forced to go without it. Providing increased access to affordable coverage would be one less thing hanging over the heads of busy young people who are focusing on finishing school, kicking off careers and starting their lives." Without his night job, Sykora's monthly COBRA costs would be approximately $800.

According to the Nassau County Community Health Assessment, lack of insurance or underinsurance remains a major problem for many of the poor and middle class. Moreover, between 14 and 20 percent of the county's residents are uninsured or underinsured, including those not legally eligible for public health insurance programs; working adults who do not qualify for public assistance yet do not receive insurance through their employers; and persons who choose not to be insured, such as young adults and students. This would enable them to choose the option of having insurance.

Senator Hannon said he has made significant strides in making health care more affordable and accessible, including such programs as Family Health Plus, Child Health Plus, EPIC and Healthy New York. He also fought for more money in the state budget for uninsured New Yorkers.