"Dedicated to Health Insurance for College Students". A Brief History of Michelle’s Law. NH House Bill 37, also known as “Michelle’s Law,” came about when AnnMarie Morse’s daughter Michelle, a full time student at Plymouth State University, was diagnosed with colon cancer.  Knowing the toll chemotherapy treatments would take, Michelle’s doctors strongly recommended that she cut back her college course load. That’s when the Morse family discovered that they were caught in a terrible catch-22.  If Michelle cut back, as her doctors recommended, she would either lose her insurance or would have to pay C.O.B.R.A.  The premiums for C.O.B.R.A. were approximately $550 a month (not including copays), would be more than the family could afford. As both a parent and a teacher, AnnMarie felt that students like Michelle should be allowed a brief medical leave (up to 12 months) during which they could cut back or leave college to concentrate on their health needs – without jeopardizing the insurance they rely on for their treatments.  With the help of some legislators, and backed by a number of medical and professional organizations, AnnMarie Morse took the issue to the NH legislature. On June 22, 2006 New Hampshire became the first state to pass Michelle’s Law.  Since then, 10 other states have passed some variation of the law.  On October 8, 2008, President George W. Bush signed H.R. 2851, making Michelle’s Law a federal law effective October 9, 2009. Michelle’s Law Michelle’s Law allows full-time college students to take up to 12 months medical leave. Michelle’s Law applies to students who are covered under their parent’s health insurance plan. “Medical leave” can mean that the student is absent from school or reduces his/her course load to part-time. The date the medical leave begins is determined by a student’s physician. Signed into law on June 22, 2006, the legislation was officially named “Michelle’s Law” and took effect immediately. for more information contact Ann Marie Morse P.O. Box 6543, Manchester, NH 03108-6543 Phone: 603.587.0422 Mobile Phone: 603.759.3366

The story behind Michelle's Law began with a family facing an impossible choice. When a college student receives a serious diagnosis, the path forward is rarely straightforward. For the Morse family, the challenge was compounded by the fact that their daughter's health coverage depended entirely on maintaining full-time student status. Doctors recommended reducing her course load to focus on treatment, but doing so would have triggered a loss of insurance precisely when she needed it most. This dilemma highlighted a gap in the system that affected countless students across the country who found themselves in similar circumstances, forced to choose between their education, their health, and their coverage.

The legislation that emerged from this personal struggle was designed to close that gap. By allowing students to take a medical leave of absence without losing their health insurance, the law offered a practical solution to a deeply human problem. Students facing serious illness could step back from their studies, focus on recovery, and return to their education when they were ready, all while maintaining the coverage they depended on. The measure gained momentum as it moved through the legislative process, drawing support from lawmakers who recognized that no family should have to choose between treatment and financial security during an already difficult time.

The journey from a family's struggle to a signed law was not an overnight process. It required dedication, persistence, and the willingness to share a deeply personal story in a public forum. Legislators heard testimony about the realities of chemotherapy schedules, the physical toll of treatment, and the emotional weight carried by students and their families. Each step through committee hearings and votes brought the measure closer to becoming reality, as supporters worked to ensure that the protections would extend beyond one family's experience and benefit students everywhere facing similar challenges.

The signing ceremony marked a significant milestone, attended by those who had championed the cause from the beginning. For the family at the heart of the effort, it was a moment that honored the spirit of their daughter's fight and the determination that had carried them through months of advocacy. The law stood as a testament to what can be accomplished when personal experience meets civic engagement, transforming a painful chapter into a lasting safeguard for others. It also served as a reminder that meaningful change often begins with a single family's willingness to speak up and share their story.

Today, the impact of this legislation continues to be felt by students and families who find themselves navigating serious illness while pursuing their education. The law provides a measure of security, allowing students to take the time they need for treatment and recovery without the added burden of worrying about their insurance coverage. It reflects a broader understanding that health and education are deeply connected, and that supporting students through difficult times strengthens both their individual futures and the communities they will one day serve. The legacy of this effort lives on in every student who can focus on healing rather than paperwork.