More than 64,000 young adults in Maryland have obtained health insurance through the program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2025
The Maryland Health Care for All Coalition congratulates the Maryland General Assembly for final passage of legislation (SB 5, HB 297) to make permanent a successful program providing subsidies to help young adults obtain affordable health insurance.
This action is especially timely and important now as federal threats to claw back existing health care coverage grow. This year the Young Adult Health Insurance Subsidy Pilot Program has used premium subsidies to help more than 64,000 young Marylanders enroll in insurance coverage. Thanks to this program, which is administered by the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, many young adults (ages 18 to 37) have been able to access health coverage through Maryland Health Connection for the first time. For other young adults who already had coverage, the program made it easier for them to afford their plans or upgrade to plans with lower deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance. Young adults now make up 36 percent of all private-plan enrollments on the state exchange – an all-time high. When more young adults purchase health coverage, it is good for everybody because it helps stabilize health insurance premiums for all age groups.
The legislation headed to Governor Wes Moore extends the program with full funding from 2025 to at least 2028. The program is funded through an assessment on insurers in the state.
“We applaud the General Assembly for its strong support for this program, which has been an amazing success, helping tens of thousands of young adults get affordable health insurance. Now this program is set to remain in place and help many more Marylanders,” said Vincent DeMarco, president of the Maryland Health Care For All Coalition, which has led advocacy efforts to enact the program. “Young adults often struggle to obtain health insurance on their own, and this program is giving them peace of mind and helping them stay healthy. The program is reducing disparities in access to health coverage by race and ethnicity, improving health equity. We thank our lead sponsors, Del. Kenneth Kerr, Sen. Clarence Lam, Sen. Brian Feldman, and Sen. Antonio Hayes as well as all the legislators who supported this bill. And we thank the Moore Miller Administration and in particular the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange led by Michele Eberle for their strong support and leadership. We are confident Governor Moore will sign this measure into law, supporting thousands of young adults.”
Young adults are the age group least likely to have health coverage, partly because they have the lowest rate of access to employer-based insurance. Yet nearly half of uninsured young adults report problems paying medical bills.
Last modified: April 2, 2025
