From USC
With the national debate raging over health care reform, a new study reports that a program to provide health care to uninsured youngsters saved Los Angeles County health facilities $37 million in uncompensated costs. Researchers say this is the first study to show the practical, financial benefits of expanded care and insurance programs, this one known as Healthy Kids. They looked at data over three years from county emergency rooms and clinics and found that because of the program -- which has enrolled more than 40,000 kids in coverage since 2003 -- there was lower use of county-funded programs for the uninsured. Healthy Kids uses public and private funds to expand coverage to youngsters at the county level, many of whom would be ineligible because of income or immigration status for the state Children's Health Insurance Program, which itself is in uncertain fiscal standing due to the California budget crisis. Youngsters with coverage, including those under Healthy Kids, rely less on emergency care, are more likely to use primary care and have better health, researchers say.
Comments