Washington, D.C. — A new infographic series released by Campus Progress and the Center for American Progress today illustrates that only 3 percent of all young adults could face higher premiums in the Affordable Care Act’s individual market, according to CAP’s conservative estimates. The infographic also shows why it is unreasonable to compare today’s prices to those in the new marketplaces, which provide far greater benefits and security. It also illustrates that the real threat to young-adult access to affordable health-insurance coverage is not possible premium increases but the shortsighted decision by a significant number of states to reject the law’s Medicaid expansion.
“Young adults should ignore the overblown warnings about increased health-insurance premiums. The sky is not falling. The Affordable Care Act actually lowers health care costs for the vast majority of young adults,” said Maura Calsyn, Associate Director of Health Policy at the Center for American Progress. “Focusing exclusively on the cost of premiums is disingenuous; premiums are just one health care expense. Even healthy young adults who will pay a bit more upfront will see greatly improved coverage and financial protections.”
“Young Americans are among those the Affordable Care Act has helped the most, with 3.4 million young adults gaining access to health insurance, a 10 percent jump in just two years,” said Anne Johnson, Director of Campus Progress. “By expanding coverage to Millennials, the Affordable Care Act is allowing young people and college graduates to focus on building successful careers and contributing to the economy instead of worrying about health insurance. The most important thing now is to continue that progress.”
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