More children may be uninsured than thought

[Judi Lynn]

More children may be uninsured than thought
Kids with gaps in health coverage missing from earlier federal survey

Updated: 6:06 p.m. ET July 27, 2005
For every child who lacks health insurance, another has gaps in coverage and is just as likely to miss out on seeing a doctor or getting a prescription refilled, suggests a new comprehensive study of federal data.

The research also reveals some surprises: About four out of five children with insurance coverage gaps have parents who work; two-thirds of them live with both parents; and more than half are white.

At least 9 million U.S. children, or about 12 percent, lack health insurance, based on a federal survey in 2003. Researchers who produced the latest study say that number is likely higher because many kids who lack health insurance during part of their childhood aren’t included in that number.
(snip)

The researchers found that the children with intermittent coverage were more likely to postpone medical care than uninsured kids. For example, 20 percent of children who were uninsured for part of the year delayed getting medical attention because parents worried about cost compared to 16 percent without insurance and 4 percent with public and private coverage.
(snip/...)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8729603/

[eternalburn]

1. A factor...

If a kid is on any type of anti-depressant or behavior modifying prescription and the parent loses current health insurance through job loss or change : new insurance companies will not cover the child for aproximately 18-24 months and only then if the child has not taken those medications during that time.

Strange but true. I speak from personal experience.