New numbers indicate that nearly 150,000 children in the Keystone State lack health insurance, whether due to their parents not having employee benefits or mom and dads not being eligible for financial assistance.
The report, which was issued by the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children revealed that about 148,000 Pennsylvania children – one in 20 – do not have health insurance. Joan Benso, president and CEO of PPC, noted that these kids are overwhelmingly from families who make low levels of income in a given year.
"Research shows us that children of low-income, uninsured parents are three times more likely to be uninsured themselves compared to children whose families have some type of coverage," said Benso. "In other words, insured parents are more likely to make sure their kids are covered, too. So policy discussions about covering more adults could bring good news for uninsured kids."
The analysis recommended that Gov. Tom Corbett, as well as state lawmakers, should expand the qualifications individuals need to prove in order to be eligible for Medicaid. By doing so, nearly half of the Pennsylvania parents who don't have coverage would be provided for. However, if that effort isn't implemented, legislators should implement Corbett's "private market alternative to Medicaid expansion."
Either likely would have a ripple effect that could result in tens of thousands of currently uninsured children gaining coverage – a much-needed catalyst to keep Pennsylvania on track to covering all kids," the report stated.
Health officials in Pennsylvania have urged residents to analyze their health coverage insurance options in great detail, making sure not to only consider premium prices when they decide the plan that's best for them, according to local newspaper The Sentinel. Other important aspects of health insurance involves what treatments are provided for and plan quality.
