CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A law inspired by a New Hampshire woman's determination to keep her health insurance while fighting cancer is now in effect across the country.
Michelle's Law is named for Michelle Morse, who attended college full-time in order to keep her insurance before she died of colon cancer in 2005 at the age of 22.
The federal law allows college students to take up to a year off school for medical reasons and remain on their family's health insurance plan. It was sponsored by Rep. Paul Hodes, who joined Morse's mother at a news conference Friday, the day the law took effect.
Morse's mother, AnnMarie Morse, pushed hard for state and federal legislation after her daughter's death. She called it a bittersweet day and said she will continue to fight for health care reform.
