Kids Count Data Book Documents Important Gains in Health Coverage for Kids & Uncovers Health Disparities for Some

The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently published the 25th edition of their KIDS COUNT Data Book, which provides comprehensive information on the status of children’s well-being in the United States. In addition to children’s health status, the Data Book reports on child wellness in three other domains including economic well-being, education, and family and community. The Data Book examines trends over the past 25 years and identifies gains and obstacles specific to children’s well-being through the lens of these four domains with respect for income, race, ethnicity, and geography.

The Data Book points to the merits of CHIP and Medicaid expansions as instrumental in improving the lives of low-income children. In recent years, despite fewer children receiving coverage through ESI and the impact of the economic recession, rates of uninsured kids have steadily declined. Authors found that

“One of the greatest policy successes for low-income children during the past decade is increased access to health insurance through Medicaid expansions and the implementation of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program in 1997.”

Other good news from the Data Report is that in the last five years, we’ve seen steady improvement in the declining percentage of low-birth weight babies, children without health insurance, child and teen deaths, and teens who abuse alcohol or drugs. The gains in all four of these areas indicate steady progress in the area of child health. Since 2008, the national average for uninsured children declined from 10% to 7%, which is a 30% improvement! The Casey Foundation attributes these positive results to increased enrollment in public health insurance, stating that 2 million more children had health insurance in 2012 than in 2008. This finding underscores the significant role Medicaid and CHIP have on children’s health, and the importance of continuing public health insurance programs to build on this progress.

While there are many encouraging statistics that can be found in the report, it also sheds light on some troubling realities. In 2012, the national average for children without health insurance was 7%; however, there remain notable disparities in the percentages of children without insurance based on race, ethnicity and geography. For example, American Indian and Hispanic children are well above the national average for children without health insurance at 16% and 12%, respectively. Access to quality, affordable health insurance can also depend on location and particular state policies. With concentrated effort and deliberate policy choices, states can dramatically change their uninsured rates. The report points to Arkansas as an example of this, as the percentage of Arkansas’ uninsured children went from 22% to 6% between 1997 and 2012.

The KIDS COUNT Data Book is a wonderful resource in gauging our progress and identifying areas that need improvement not only in kids’ coverage but also in areas of education, family, and economic well-being. This data is an empowering tool to continue improving the lives of children, and ultimately, our economic and social future. You can read the full KIDS COUNT Data Book here.

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