By Stephanie Carson, Public News Service
RALEIGH, N.C. – A report released Thursday by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families ranks North Carolina second in the nation when it comes to the reduction of uninsured children.
As of 2013, the number of uninsured children in the state stands at a little more than 144,000, about 30,000 fewer than in 2011.
Michelle Hughes, executive director of NC Child says having insurance improves the overall well-being of a child.
“We know that healthy children perform better in school, but what is really good news for North Carolina is we’re insuring more children in our state,” says Hughes. “That means we’ll have healthier children who are going to do better as adults.”
The report also indicates families living in near-poverty have the highest rate of ‘uninsurance,’ with up to 5.2 children nationwide lacking insurance.
Although North Carolina has been making progress, covering greater amounts of children under health insurance programs appears to have stalled in other state. Hughes says one reason may be states have been more focused on getting adults covered through the Affordable Care Act.
Nationally, over the last five years, the number of uninsured children declined by 1.7 million – thanks in part to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Next year, Congress will be voting on funding for CHIP.
Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown Center for Children and Families and a co-author of the Georgetown University report, says a great deal is riding on the outcome of that debate.
“Right now, we have just over five million children who are uninsured in the United States,” she says. “If Congress doesn’t fund that program, that number could swell to over seven million. So, that’s a critical decision.”
According to Hughes, research indicates healthier parents improve the lives of their children, which is why – she says – it’s important North Carolina lawmakers choose to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
“Governor McCrory and North Carolina state lawmakers really should expand Medicaid coverage to low-income parents,” says Hughes. “It will result in healthier families and healthier children.”
According to the North Carolina Institute of Medicine, 500,000 North Carolinians would be covered if lawmakers chose to expand Medicaid. – See more at: http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2014-11-06/childrens-issues/north-carolina-leading-country-in-reduction-of-uninsured-children/a42673-1#sthash.4h9nPejd.dpuf
Source:
North Carolina Leading Country in Reduction of Uninsured Children