(a) UNDER GROUP HEALTH PLANS.—
(1) PHSA.—Title XXVII of the Public Health
Service Act is amended by inserting after section 2702 the following new section:
‘‘SEC. 2703. REQUIRING THE OPTION OF EXTENSION OF DEPENDENT COVERAGE FOR UNINSURED YOUNG ADULTS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—A group health plan and a health
insurance issuer offering health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan that provides coverage for dependent children shall make available such coverage, at the option of the participant involved, for one or more qualified children (as defined in subsection (b)) of the participant.
‘‘(b) QUALIFIED CHILD DEFINED.—In this section,
the term ‘qualified child’ means, with respect to a participant in a group health plan or group health insurance coverage, an individual who (but for age) would be treated as a dependent child of the participant under such plan or coverage and who—
‘‘(1) is under 27 years of age; and
‘‘(2) is not enrolled as a participant, beneficiary, or enrollee (other than under this section,0section 2746, or section 704 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) under any health insurance coverage or group health plan.
‘‘(c) PREMIUMS.—Nothing in this section shall be
construed as preventing a group health plan or health insurance issuer with respect to group health insurance coverage from increasing the premiums otherwise required for coverage provided under this section consistent withstandards established by the Secretary based upon family size.’’.