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Medically Uninsured Children in the United States: A Challenge to Public Policy
Author(s) -
Oberg Charles N.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1990.tb05888.x
Subject(s) - medicaid , public health insurance , public health , health care , economic growth , population , health insurance , health policy , poverty , environmental health , public policy , political science , medicine , gerontology , nursing , economics
This article is an examination of the nature and extent of the problem presented by medically uninsured children in the United States. First, the characteristics of the uninsured population are explored with a description of how age, family income, and employment status disproportionately affect families with children. Second, the Medicaid program and its historically inadequate response to this growing problem of uninsured children is examined. Third, the relationship between insurance status and the health and development of children is discussed. Finally, recent public policy initiatives that have been enacted or proposed to address this inequity in the present health care system are reviewed with a recommendation to establish a “Universal Maternal and Child Health Program.” (J Sch Health. 1990;60(10):493–500)