State Children's Health Insurance Program: Insuring a Better Future for Children

Abstract

This paper commences with a comparison of health outcomes and quality of care between uninsured children and those who have either public health insurance or private health insurance. Not surprisingly, access to either private or public health insurance strongly correlates with a variety of positive child and maternal health outcomes. Next, I identify barriers that may prevent families from accessing or retaining SCHIP [State Children’s Health Insurance Program] coverage. These problems of access include enrollment, eligibility, and quality. Subsequently, this paper examines the current policy debate on SCHIP reauthorization along the same three parameters. I conclude by offering some policy recommendations in light of the challenges facing SCHIP. [From Background]