Monday, 2 July 2007
Study Finds Fewer Uninsured Kids Than Expected
A new study by the Urban Institute found that there are fewer uninsured children in America than previously thought. The study estimated 4.9 million children under the age of 19 are living without health insurance.
An earlier study by the Census Bureau believed over 8 million children were uninsured.
In the Urban Institute’s report, they explained that the Census Bureau’s error was due to underreporting the number of families and children currently enrolled in government healthcare programs such as Medicaid and State’s Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP).
The UI report also estimated the number of children and families eligible for government programs but not enrolled. The Urban Institute’s estimate was only 1.1 million, while the Census Bureau guessed 5.5 million.
Illegal or temporary immigrants and legal aliens ineligible for healthcare programs were not counted in the Urban Institute’s study. They claim the Census Bureau did not make the same distinctions.
These numbers are helping the Bush administration substantiate their stance on SCHIP funding. They want to increase funding for SCHIP by a modest $5 billion. They say it’s enough to keep the program afloat. They also want to further restrict the program’s eligibility.
Democrats in Washington and many state lawmakers want at least $50 billion over the next 5 years. They want to expand eligibility, rather than restrict it, to provide health insurance for even more people. They also contend the Urban Institute’s study was flawed.
“This study flies in the face of all accepted data on the number of uninsured American children who desperately need and could receive health coverage through a renewal of the SCHIP program,” said chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Democratic Senator Max Baucus of Montana.
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