Today, the Obama administration announced that approximately 2.5 million young adults gained health insurance in the past year since the dependent coverage expansion up to age 26 took effect. This comes from data from the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and illustrates an even bigger coverage gain than earlier reports this year, that put the number of newly insured 18-25 year olds at about one million.

The news of 2.5 million newly insured young Americans is BIG.  It shows that the new health care law is working for our generation in this tough economy, when so many young people don’t have the option of health coverage from a job.  Now, millions of young adults who are looking for work, or have a job without benefits, will no longer have to choose between making rent payments or enrolling in an insurance plan.

One of those young adults benefiting from the new health care law is Isbah, a student at UT-Austin who was diagnosed with Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease.  There was a time in Isbah’s life following her diagnosis when insurance companies denied her coverage because of her condition. Since health care reform took effect, Isbah is now back on her parent’s health plan and can get the medical attention she needs.

If you’re interested in learning more about the new insurance numbers, check out the CDC NHIS data on the increase in young adult coverage.