Only 4 percent were uninsured for the whole 28 months. At the same time, the internal dynamics of the group have become more volatile. In 1987, 73.6 percent of children were covered by their parents' private insurance, while 15.2 percent were covered under Medicaid. By 1995, only 66.1 percent had private health insurance, and 23.2 percent were covered under Medicaid. Those without insurance increased from 12.9 percent to 13.8 percent.
Uninsured infants living in poverty probably are at greatest risk.
Fortunately, they also are the most likely to be insured at any income level. Of that number, only 200,000 are infants. However, a lack of money is not the only reason why children are uninsured. They do not use traditional facilities or doctors and see no need for traditional insurance to cover those bills. Some, like the Amish, have religious objections.