Most of these families have incomes that are too high to qualify for Medicaid, but that are well below the income it takes to purchase health insurance. Fewer and fewer children have access to employer-sponsored health plans. Such exams can identify and correct conditions before they cause a lifetime of pain and disability. They suffer from unnecessary illness, disability, and death. Their education suffers.
Untreated disorders affect their ability to learn or cause chronic absenteeism.
The President and congressional leaders proposed a budget for next year that is expected to provide health insurance to half of the 10 million children currently without it. Several proposals have also been introduced in Congress to expand children's health coverage. As you hear more about them, ask whether the proposals expand health coverage to uninsured children, and if they provide comprehensive benefits, including preventive care. Women's Network for Change. All children need health coverage.