While Republicans in Congress pledge to repeal the national health care reform law, others in Maryland are giving it a warm reception.

State officials joined Towson University students and staff, as well as students from others schools and union members, to cheer for new provisions going into effect today. It was one of about 100 such rallies scheduled around the nation, including an afternoon rally at the University of Maryland in College Park with the U.S. Surgeon General.

At the forefront of this rally, hosted by the advocacy group Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative, was the provision allowing young adults to stay on their parents’ insurance until they are 26. The state already has a law allowing kids up to 25 to stay on their parents’ plans, but the federal law adds a year and adds new groups of people whose parents’ work for self-insured companies or the federal government. It also adds those not legally dependent on their parents and married kids.

Other provisions kick in today also. Insurers can’t rescind coverage when someone gets sick, they can’t consider pre-existing conditions of children and can’t charge co-pays for preventative care such as mammograms and colonoscopies. The Medicare “donut hole” is beginning to close for seniors’ prescription drug plans and small business already are eligible for tax breaks for providing care.

The nation is split on the overall law, according to polls, providing fodder for an election year. Even some Democrats are backing away from the law, considered too costly to many during tough economic times.

But local officials say these provisions are popular and will help sell the bill to skeptical Americans.
“There was debate, there is debate and there will be debate on the efficacy of health reform,” said Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, at the Towson rally. “But we know we couldn’t do nothing.”

Brown said in Maryland health care is considered a right, and the state is working to expand coverage to the uninsured and protections for those who already have coverage.

Several students attended the rally, including several that planned to continue on their parents’ plans after graduation or while in graduate school.

Towson University graduate student Tamisha Jackson speaks at a press conference at the student union regarding the law allowing young adults to remain on their parents' health insurance until age 26.  Also in attendance were Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown (right) Vincent DeMarco of Health Care For All, (in background) several college students and administrative staff from the university. Baltimore Sun photo by Barbara Haddock Taylor.