President Bush Signs Michelle's Law
After passing Congress unanimously, President Bush signed H.R. 2851, "Michelle's Law," a new statute that allows dependent college students facing a serious illness to take a leave of absence and still preserve their health coverage. The bill was signed on October 9, 2008.
The law is named after Ms. Michelle Morse, who remained a full-time college student while battling colon cancer in order to remain eligible for health insurance under her parents' health care plan. Ms. Morse ultimately lost her battle with colon cancer, prompting her family to advocate for a change in the law.
Michelle's Law (P.L. 110-381), sponsored by Representative Paul Hodes (D-NH) and Senator John Sununu (R-NH), applies to health plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Public Health Service Act, and the Internal Revenue Code. The law, which takes effect one year from enactment, provides that dependent students enrolled at post-secondary educational institutions suffering from a serious illness or injury that requires a leave of absence continue to receive health insurance for up to one year.