Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan hosts student sign-up event at Merritt College to promote the Covered California Health Insurance Exchange

Event celebrates the many Californians now able to access healthcare under the Affordable Care Act

Today, Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan and local leaders celebrated the launch of the Affordable Care Act by hosting an event designed to engage one of the most important audiences of uninsured Alameda County residents – the “Young Invincibles.”  

Young adults ages 18-25 are frequently uninsured and do not take appropriate steps for preventive care or chronic disease management.  The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) not only encourages this kind of care, it also provides mechanisms to ensure it’s affordable.

“Despite what the experts are saying, I have found that young adults want health insurance – if it’s affordable and accessible. That’s what ObamaCare offers. I’ve also learned that these students want less talk and more action – they want to get enrolled now. And that’s exactly what we did today.”

On Tuesday, October 1, the day that the Affordable Care Act became a reality in California with the opening of its health care exchange, Supervisor Chan gathered two dozen community college students to talk about the opportunities for coverage and to provide assistance in signing up for coverage through California’s health exchange – Covered California. 

After months and months of discussions about the Affordable Care Act, Supervisor Chan took action to enroll a group of young adults – the “Young Invincibles” – that many believe are critical to the success of ObamaCare. 

Many students, due to income status, qualified for even lower cost insurance through Alameda County’s Medi-Cal program.  Experts from the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency and the Alameda Alliance for Health were on hand to ensure that questions were answered and students could connect with the Covered California hotline.

Chan added, “In Alameda County, students and adults can now shop for affordable coverage through health insurance exchanges like Covered California.  They can compare plans side by side and apply for discounted health premiums, co-pays and deductibles to lower their costs.  This is an important day for all Alameda County residents who have struggled to find affordable health insurance.”

On October 1, 2013 the Covered California health insurance exchange opened up for Californians to sign up for health insurance around the state. With young adults now among the many populations now eligible for health insurance through the exchange, Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan gathered leaders and students to highlight the importance of the exchange opening, and the vital healthcare opportunity for young adults – also called “Young Invincibles” – in Alameda County.

It is estimated that 19 million young adults across the country lack basic health insurance coverage. Although young people are often healthy, they need medical care for preventive treatment, regular check-ups, and occasional health hiccups. Many of them also have costly chronic conditions. Yet rising health insurance premiums price millions of young adults out of the market.

Thankfully, the Affordable Care Act promises to make health care affordable and accessible to young adults across the country – and here in Alameda County. Already, more than 3 million previously uninsured young adults (up to age 26) across the United States have joined their parent’s health insurance plan through the Affordable Care Act.

Chan concluded, “We are also working and developing outreach efforts in Alameda County to connect with eligible but unenrolled adults.  We are looking to Covered California to be a great resource and partner with our county.”