September 18, 2013 -- More than 87 percent of children eligible for public health insurance programs in 2011 were enrolled in them—an increase of 5.5 percentage points since 2008—according to a new analysis from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The number of eligible-but-unenrolled children dropped to 4.0 million from 4.9 million over the same period.
Researchers from the Urban Institute, who prepared the analysis, say the increase in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollment is likely attributable to state and federal efforts to raise awareness of the availability of public insurance programs for kids, as well as increased enrollment assistance for parents. In total, 19 states and the District of Columbia had participation rates of 90 percent or higher, while just four states (Alaska, Montana, Nevada, and Utah) had rates below 80 percent.
“Health insurance is critical to ensuring that children receive the health care services they need to learn, grow, and stay healthy,” said Andy Hyman, who leads coverage issues at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “Due to the tremendous effort to enroll eligible children in low-cost or free public insurance programs, we’re closer to the day when all children in America have health insurance. These findings are excellent news.”
Despite the tremendous progress made in a relatively short period of time, the study authors see room for improvement. Nearly 37 percent of all eligible-but-uninsured children live in one of three states—California, Florida, or Texas. If additional enrollment efforts are targeted in these states, they say it could profoundly reduce the percentage of children nationwide who are uninsured.
The study includes nationwide statistics, as well as state-specific information on children eligible for, and enrolled in, Medicaid/CHIP programs.
