Title XXI of the Social Security Act, provides access to health care for children who are not covered by Medicaid, Title XIX of the Social Security Act or employer purchased benefits such as Blue Cross-Blue Shield. This program a wide range of health services including mental health care. While the funds authorized appear significant, it is likely that only a quarter an estimated 10 million children and youth will be given access to previously unavailable services. Although modest in terms of the number of children ultimately to be reached, CHIP has made it possible for some families to get more preventive care for their children rather than to access care in stressful crisis or emergency situations. I have highlighted these programs because they are recently authorized and address significant needs.
Few people oppose health care to children, poor or otherwise.
Yet children continue as one of the most underserved groups, primarily, some say, because they lack political clout-i.e. The alternative to big cost, big bureaucratic scheme is incrementalism. A weird quilt, but one that nevertheless may ultimately provide coverage for all. Cover Page for this Issue APA Home Page .