No opposition as bill passes Senate Health Committee.
A new piece of legislation from our Senator George Runner looks to allow college students to keep their dependent health insurance if they come down with a serious illness or injury.

As it is now, young adults are allowed to stay on their parent’s health care plans if they maintain full time status in a post secondary school. However, if the student becomes ill and has to decrease their school load, they could be forced to get their own coverage.  

“This bill will eliminate the no-win situation of either staying in school to obtain health care coverage – even though the student is too ill to study – or dropping out and losing health care coverage at a time when it is critically needed,” Runner said. “An ailing college student is already faced with the challenges of illness; the last thing the student needs is to lose health care insurance.”

The bill is inspired by Michelle Morse, who was diagnosed with Colon Cancer as a student in New Hampshire. After being told by doctors to lighten her school schedule, she was then required to pay continuation premiums of approximately $550 per month to keep her policy going.

“Michelle’s Law will give peace of mind to students and their families so they can focus on what’s important: Fighting the illness, not toiling over impossibly expensive health care bills,” Runner said.

SB 1168 passed the Senate Health Committee 11-0 and will be heard in Senate Appropriations in the coming weeks.

Runner says that he has met no opposition so far in presenting the bill. He notes that the American Cancer Society and Blue Cross are supporters of the bill, among others.