Young Californians' health insurance will stay regardless of health ...

Mae Ryan/KPCC

California residents under 26 will still have health insurance whether the federal health law does or not. But other benefits of the overhaul may go down with the ship.

The Obama administration says 435,000 young Californians have medical insurance today because of the federal healthcare reform law. That benefit would continue in California whatever the Supreme Court rules ? other state changes may not.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius says more than three million adults under 26 are now getting health benefits under their parents? plans.

?In the past, many young adults just starting their careers or still studying struggled to find affordable coverage," Sebelius explains. "That led some to take jobs they otherwise wouldn?t have just because they offered health insurance. Others simply went without coverage.?

That provision was also written into California law, so it will stay even if the Supreme Court throws out the federal law. Anthony Wright with the advocacy group Health Access says the same goes for new California maternity coverage rules and other benefits for kids and seniors.

?But many, many other protections and provisions would be struck down," he adds, "because they are dependent on the federal law either directly or they require the framework of that law.?

The high court ruling will also determine the fate of California?s expansion of the state?s version of Medicaid and the pre-existing condition insurance plan.

Both are dependent on federal funds.

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