When I graduated from college a few years ago, I didn’t have a job offer, let alone a job offer that included health benefits.   I worked as an intern, and then as a “super” intern for about 5 months until I finally landed my first “grown-up” job.  During that time, I went uninsured, and fortunately, I didn’t have a major health event. I never got sick, or had to visit the hospital for any reason.  Now that I’m older, I realize that was a very dangerous gamble that my circumstances forced me to take.  A few of my friends weren’t so lucky.  They got sick while uninsured and are now burdened by crippling medical bills and debt.

The new health care law changed all of that.  About a year ago, by passing the Affordable Care Act, Congress made it possible for young adults to have access to affordable and comprehensive medical care and be protected from insurance company abuses. Young people no longer have to gamble with their health as they make their way in life.  They have several health care options, no matter what their health situation may be.

As a recent college graduate, I knew almost nothing about health insurance.  I kind of understood the basics, like “co-pay” and “deductible”, but I didn’t get how the system really worked.  I certainly didn’t know my coverage options, as limited as they were back then. Many young adults out of school still struggle to understand the health care system.  The urgent need for education has not changed.  What has changed, thanks to the new health care law, is that those young people have more options than ever before to get covered and get the care they need.

Young Invincibles created the Graduation Toolkit to help young adults as they navigate the new health care landscape. Sure, there are more ways to get covered, but the Toolkit shows you how you can actually get that coverage.  Detailing everything from staying on your parent’s plan until age 26 to health insurance options for people with pre-existing conditions, this Toolkit is really useful.  You can download the free Toolkit by visiting GettingCovered.org.  Hopefully, these educational tools will make a difference in ensuring that no young person take the same health care gamble I did.

Jessie is the Communications and Outreach Manager for Young Invincibles.  Originally from Birmingham, AL, she is an Auburn University graduate.  She is also very excited for the new launch of YI’s health education toolkit: GettingCovered.org.