Health care reform measures which President Barack Obama signed into law last year will help provide coverage for about 2.5 million people aged 19 to 25.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday that the provision that lets young adults remain on their parents’ insurance plans through age 26,

Federal officials credited the gains to the Affordable Care Act, legislation championed by President Barack Obama that took effect last year and is deemed the biggest overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system in nearly 50 years.

The law aims broadly to eventually provide medical coverage to more than 30 million uninsured Americans, and already allows young adults to stay on their parents’ private insurance plans through age 26.

Since the policy helping young adults took effect in September 2010, the percentage of adults ages 19 to 25 covered by a private health insurance plan has increased significantly, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said.