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Feature Articles for August, 2003
More than 8.5 Million Children in the U.S. Do Not Have Health Insurance But Affordable Health Care Coverage Is Available More than 8.5 million children in America are living without health insurance, yet most of them are eligible for coverage through the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) or Medicaid, but are not enrolled. Many parents of uninsured children do not believe that SCHIP and Medi-caid are intended for them. In fact, half of the parents whose children qualify for coverage believe their kids are not eligible. These parents are employed, and they don’t realize these programs are designed for working families. In most states, a family of four earning up to $36,000 a year or more may qualify for coverage for their children. Uninsured children are 70 percent less likely to receive medical care for common conditions such as ear infections than insured children, and 30 percent less likely to receive medical attention when they are injured. Children who are enrolled in SCHIP and Medicaid have access to comprehensive health care, including doctor visits, prescriptions, hospitalizations and more. Covering Kids & Families, a national program of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), works to connect uninsured children to low-cost and free health care coverage programs in every state and the District of Columbia. Families can learn more about low-cost and free health care coverage for children through SCHIP and Medicaid by calling toll-free 1-877-KIDSNOW. |
