Report Finds Health Reform Helped State Children Get Preventive Care

Roughly 281,000 children in Wisconsin are receiving additional preventive health care benefits because of requirements imposed by federal health care reform, according to a study released Wednesday by the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University.

The federal law requires health plans introduced after Sept. 23, 2010, to cover all preventive services recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics with no co-pays, deductibles or coinsurance. Existing health plans were exempt from the new regulations.

An estimated 208,000 children – about 16% of the 1.3 million in Wisconsin – are covered by health plans affected by the new regulations on cost-sharing, according to the study. In addition, 281,000 children – about 21% of those in the state – are covered by health plans affected by the new regulations on preventive care.