U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Many college students struggle to obtain health insurance because they lose their dependent coverage under their parents’ plans, and their entry-level or part-time jobs do not offer benefits. However, this report found that both colleges and state governments are dealing with the issue. In the 2007-08 school year, 30 percent of colleges and some states have required students to have health insurance, and more than half of all colleges offered student health insurance plans. Some states have enacted policies that allow college students to remain covered as dependents under their parents’ health plans. About 80 percent of college students ages 18 to 23 are insured, the vast majority on another person’s policy. Free, 51 pages. (202) 512-7114, http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-08-389.
