CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today signed a law (SB 115) that will increase access to affordable health insurance by letting young adults buy into the state’s Healthy Kids Children’s Health Insurance Program.

“Over the past several years, we have come together to create greater access to quality, affordable health care for more of our citizens. Today, we are taking another important step forward in our efforts to insure the uninsured and to put health insurance within reach for more New Hampshire citizens,” Gov. Lynch said.

This new law authorizes the NH Healthy Kids Corporation to establish a program to allow young people ages 19 through 25 to buy into the Healthy Kids insurance program. This is significant because that age group currently has the highest number of uninsured.

“Last year, we recognized this problem and allowed these young adults the opportunity to stay on their parents’ health insurance. We are building on that progress by also allowing young people to buy into Healthy Kids,” Gov. Lynch said. “This new law will offer the 19 through 25 age group another option for purchasing affordable heath coverage.”

There are 21,000 young people in New Hampshire would be eligible for health insurance under this new law.

“We recognize these are difficult financial times for many people here in New Hampshire. It is important that we continue to ensure more of our citizens can get the affordable health coverage they need,” Gov. Lynch said. “This new law also serves as an example of how we can further our goal of expanding access to health care, in a way that does not bring additional expenses to the state budget, which is critical in these difficult economic times.”

Allowing young adults to buy into the Healthy Kids programs is part of the state’s overall efforts to create great access to health insurance for more New Hampshire citizens.

Last week, Gov. Lynch announced that beginning Oct. 1, small businesses will be able to purchase health insurance plans focused on wellness and prevention at a cost that could be as much as 20 percent lower than comparable insurance plans. This will help small businesses struggling with the high cost of health to continue to provide health insurance to their workers.

“New Hampshire is one of the healthiest states in the nation and we must continue to work to ensure we stay one of the healthiest,” Gov. Lynch said.

SB115 was sponsored by Sens. Kathy Sgambati, Jackie Cilley, Lou D'Allesandro, Betsi DeVries, Martha Fuller Clark, Peggy Gilmour, Maggie Hassan, Matthew Houde, Harold Janeway, Molly Kelly, Sylvia Larsen, Bette Lasky, Amanda Merrill, Deb Reynolds; and Reps. Beth Arsenault, Sharon Nordgren, Tom Donovan, Peter Batula and James Pilliod.