Medicaid Still Most Important Insurer of Children

For Immediate Release

Below is a highlight of study appearing on the May PEDIATRICS electronic pages, the Internet extension of Pediatrics, the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). To receive the full text of this study and interview contact information, please contact the AAP Division of Public Relations at 847-981-7877 and ask for CE2. The complete study also is available on PEDIATRICS electronic pages at http://www.pediatrics.org.

MEDICAID STILL MOST IMPORTANT INSURER OF CHILDREN

CHICAGO--The number of uninsured children grew by nearly 1 million between 1987 and 1993, according to a study published on Pediatrics electronic pages, the electronic journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

The study, a state-level analysis of children's health insurance coverage between 1987 and 1993, found that the number of children covered by employer-based private insurance decreased significantly in 75 percent of the states, while the number of children with Medicaid coverage increased significantly in 80 percent of the states. Authors from the AAP Division of Health Policy Research, Elk Grove Village, IL, said Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan and Nevada had the most significant increases in uninsured children. While Montana and Colorado had significantly decreased the number of uninsured children, no progress was found in reducing the number of uninsured children in 43 other states.

Of the 30 million children without private health insurance, nearly 18 million were insured by Medicaid, says author Beth Yudkowsky, MPH. Children in many states are at greater risk today than they were since 1987, despite the laudable efforts made by states to expand their Medicaid programs, the study reports.

"If this countrys largest insurer of childrens health care is jeopardized, then our countrys future is also at risk," the authors conclude.

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EDITORS NOTE: This study appeared on the peer-reviewed, scientific electronic pages of the American Academy of Pediatrics, but does not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the Academy. The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 53,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.