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This study examines the health impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) dependent coverage provision for U.S. young adults ages 19-25. Using data from the Current Population Survey - March Supplement for the years 2007 to 2012 we conduct logistic regression analyses to assess the mediating effect of dependent coverage on the association between period (Pre-Great Recession; Great Recession/Pre-ACA; Post-ACA) and the odds of excellent health. Young adults were significantly more likely to have dependent coverage in the post-ACA period compared to previous years. Young adults reported significantly lower odds of excellent health during the Great Recession/pre-ACA period (2008-2009) compared to the years preceding (2006-2007) and following it (2010-2011). Dependent health coverage was positively associated with the odds of excellent health and accounted for a substantial portion of health differences between young adults in the pre- and post-ACA periods. No such mediating effect was found for the pre-Great Recession period (2006-2007) compared to the pre-ACA/Great Recession period. The ACA expanded access to dependent health insurance coverage for young adults, ameliorating some of the negative health consequences of the Great Recession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]