The Need for Affordable Children's Health Insurance Programs
Tuesday August 14, 2007
According to a recent study released by the journal Health Services Research, which included 62,193 children between the ages of 0 and 17, single fathers are less likely to take their children to see a doctor than either single mothers or dual-parent families.
When I first heard this, I thought that perhaps mothers in general - and myself included - are more likely to take their children to see a doctor for the treatment of illnesses and injuries that are not life-threatening. (How many times have I been told that, no, it's not strep, and there's nothing we can do...) However, the report also notes that single fathers - and their children - are generally 20 percent more likely to be uninsured during a 12-month period than single mothers or dual-parent families.
This serves to remind me that there are still far too many uninsured families - including, but not limited to, single moms and dads - who don't know about the health insurance programs that are available for their children. For example, many families who earn too much money for Medicaid are still eligible for SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program). To find out more about these programs and learn how to apply for and obtain health insurance for your children, read Find Free and Low-Cost Health Insurance Programs for Kids.
References:
When I first heard this, I thought that perhaps mothers in general - and myself included - are more likely to take their children to see a doctor for the treatment of illnesses and injuries that are not life-threatening. (How many times have I been told that, no, it's not strep, and there's nothing we can do...) However, the report also notes that single fathers - and their children - are generally 20 percent more likely to be uninsured during a 12-month period than single mothers or dual-parent families.
This serves to remind me that there are still far too many uninsured families - including, but not limited to, single moms and dads - who don't know about the health insurance programs that are available for their children. For example, many families who earn too much money for Medicaid are still eligible for SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program). To find out more about these programs and learn how to apply for and obtain health insurance for your children, read Find Free and Low-Cost Health Insurance Programs for Kids.
References:
- Leininger, Lindsey Jeanne, and Kathleen M. Ziol-Guest. "Reexamining the Effects of Family Structure on Children's Access to Care: The Single-Father Family ." Heath Services Research. 14 Aug. 2007 [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1475-6773.2007.00758.x].
- Marshall, Andrew. "MD Visits by Single Fathers Tracked." Deseret Morning News 13 Aug. 2007. Deseret Morning News. 13 Aug. 2007. 14 Aug. 2007 [http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,695200348,00.html].
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