Dependent Care Coverage Expansion

Floor Speech

Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, on May 7 the largest private employer in the State of Connecticut, United Technologies Corporation, announced a decision to implement dependent coverage up to age 26 for their 30,000 employees and families. They took advantage of an IRS ruling which was issued April 23 to implement this change, which will make a huge difference for adult children of their workforce.

Too often at commencement ceremonies, which are taking place all across the country, kids are given a diploma and then a notice that they are coming off their parents' health insurance plan. With the health insurance reform bill, this is now a thing of the past, and UTC has set a great example for employers all across the country to implement this change as soon as possible.

Yesterday, Mohegan Sun Casino, with 10,000 employees, issued the same decision for its employees. This is going to make a difference for families and adult children. I spoke to a mother of a 22-year-old who has been hospitalized numerous times, and she was in tears. She was so excited that her daughter will be able to continue to receive the care that she needs, which otherwise would never have been available if we had not passed the health care reform bill.

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