Advocates call for extension to MD’s young adult health care susbsidy program
MARYLAND – The coalition Maryland Health Care For All (MHCFA) is calling for an extension to a program that connects young people with affordable health insurance.
How the Program Works
The young adult subsidy program provides financial help to Marylanders ages 18 to 37 towards health care coverage they could not otherwise obtain. Subsidies can be stacked with those that are federal through the Affordable Care Act and Inflation Reduction Act.
Maryland lawmakers enacted the program in 2021 and extended it through 2023. When that extension was granted, a sunset date of 2025 was set. Now, advocates are calling for the program to stay open once more.
“Since [2023], 67,000 young people in Maryland have benefited, including 22,000 people becoming first-time enrollees,” said Vincent DeMarco, President of MHCFA. “Very big development, and very good progress.”
Health Coverage Disparities for Young People
According to MHCFA, young people are least likely to have health coverage. In part, it’s because they have the lowest access rate to employer-based insurance. Nearly half of uninsured young adults report problems paying medical bills.
“We strongly support continuing [this program] as long as possible to help those on the program as well as all of us by bringing more people into the health insurance market which reduces upward pressure on our premiums,” said Michele Eberle, Executive Director of Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, in a news release.
DeMarco agrees, saying the program has helped to greatly reduce Maryland’s health care disparities.
“Under the [program], young adults have the peace of mind to get health coverage, treatment, physicals, and stay healthy,” DeMarco said. “It’s wonderful for them, and it benefits all of us.”
Hoping to Make Program Permanent
The program currently receives $20 million per year from a 1% assessment on insurance premiums. DeMarco says it also helps to fund the state’s Reinsurance Program. That is set to expire in 2028.
Lawmakers plan to introduce another bill that would extend the young adult subsidy program next year in Annapolis. However, advocates are hoping that it will eventually become a permanent feature.
“We want to make this a permanent part of the Maryland health landscape because it really works,” DeMarco said.
For more information about the young adult subsidy program, click here.
