Health Insurance age limit for children increases; Discussing the inevitable

Everybody knows that in this country of riches and opportunities, about 30% of those between the ages of 18-24, and 25% of those between 25-34 do not have health insurance. As a result, many states are increasing the age limit until which children can be covered under their parent's insurance. For example, according to the article in the New York Times, For Insurance, Adult Children Ride Piggyback, New Jersey has now increased the age limit to 30 under which children can be covered under their parent’s insurance.

This is a good step to help insure some of those without health insurance. However, this will, in no way, solve the problem of ballooning healthcare costs. Also, what about those who don’t have parents with health insurance to piggyback or those who don’t fit the criteria that need to be met?


We know it’s tough.

However, it needs to be done.

No Longer Avoiding That Talk About the Inevitable, an article in the NY Times, offers great advice on how to approach the topic with your parents or loved one. Unfortunately, no one is immortal and leaving adult children to guess what funeral their parents would have wanted is unnecessary. According to Joshua Slocum, executive director of the Funeral Consumers Alliance, “many parents assume they know what their kids want … They say, ‘It’s all taken care of, honey,’ but that doesn’t mean a darn thing. What’s been taken care of? Kids usually want to honor their parents, and that can lead to a lot of guilt — I don’t know what Mom would want.”

Therefore, take the time, sit down with your parents, and discuss what they would prefer (or perhaps what they would NOT want in their funeral). It’s better to ask beforehand than regret never asking.