KidCare health insurance beneficiaries plummeted

KidCare health insurance beneficiaries plummeted (Alberta Times) Figures show that the number of beneficiaries of the Youth Medical Insurance for Poor Families (also known as KidCare, hereafter referred to as Children's Health Insurance), which is jointly funded by the state and federal governments...

(Alberta Times)

Figures show that the number of beneficiaries of the Youth Medical Insurance for Poor Families (also known as KidCare, hereinafter referred to as Children's Health Insurance), which is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, has plummeted from a peak of 66,317 in 2008 to 16,662 this month, which is the lowest level since 1999. Compared to this number, demand is unprecedented. In July, there were more than 100,000 children on the waiting list for Child Health Insurance. As early as 2010, due to a shortage of financial allocations, the state government no longer accepted new applications for children's health insurance. In fact, state lawmakers have repeatedly cut funding for Children's Health Care in recent years, from $1 million in 2009 to $36 million in fiscal year 2012. As a result of the freeze on new applications, state officials said there are "sufficient allocations to meet current enrollment needs." But they also acknowledged that the reduction in coverage levels was an "unwise decision" and will bring hidden health risks to poor children. Children's Health Insurance is a high-quality medical children's health care program available to families with incomes between one and two times the poverty level. According to the current poverty line, a family of four earns $22,350 per year. Below this level, the family is eligible for Medicaid and state/federal health insurance programs, including Children's Health Insurance designed specifically for adolescents and children. In March 2010, the Legislature attempted to eliminate Children's Health Care altogether, but while Children's Health Care continues under federal law, lawmakers instead froze new applications. Currently, Arizona is the only state in the nation to freeze new Children's Health Care applications. The state said it stopped accepting new applications to protect the interests of existing Children's Health Insurance recipients. However, since the freeze was implemented, nearly 30,000 children have been excluded from children's health insurance. Some sick children lose their lives because they do not receive proper medical care. The federal government requires states to coordinate Medicaid and Children's Medicare programs to take into account possible changes in family income, such as losing a job or finding a new job. Families below the state's poverty level can still apply for and receive Medicaid, but Children's Health Insurance is not included. Data link: *Children's health insurance was established in 1998. At that time, one-third of children from poor families did not have medical insurance. This level has dropped to 22% last year. By 2008, children's health insurance coverage reached its peak. *From the official acceptance of applications in 1999 to the number of people covered in 2011: 5283, 27765, 42875, 55687, 48681, 49897, 48083, 55996, 58617, 63530, 51838, 30445, 17649.

In 2012, it is estimated that 14,092 children will receive the state government's child health insurance.