Affordable Health Insurance Is Now Here for Kids Who Need It

New! This year, a new nationwide health insurance program is beginning. Now, most families who work hard to make ends meet can get low-cost or free health insurance for their children.

Each State is developing its own Children’s Health Insurance Program to make health care more affordable. In addition, Medicaid now provides free health coverage to most low-income children.

Health Insurance Matters. Children with health insurance are more likely to:

• Be healthy as newborns,
• Receive needed immunizations as toddlers, and
• Get treatment for illnesses such as recurring ear infections and asthma.

Without treatment, these diseases can slow a child’s learning and have lifelong consequences.

Too Many Kids Are Uninsured. One out of every seven children in America is uninsured. This could be the child who plays with yours at school, the child next door, or your own child. Why?

• Too expensive: Private insurance can cost families thousands that they cannot afford.
• Don’t know about options: Even though affordable health care is available to many working families, too few parents know about their options.

These Children Need Your Help. We encourage all concerned Americans to join this public-private campaign to insure American children. You can help. Please:

• Learn about your State programs. All States have Medicaid programs for children and most States have begun their new Children’s Health Insurance Programs. Find out who is eligible for assistance and how families can apply.
• Educate others. Tell friends, relatives, parents you meet at work, and all other working families whose children or grandchildren may be uninsured about these options.
• Community efforts. There are many groups around the nation that are involved in children's health outreach. If you are interested, you may wish to contact one of these organizations for information and ideas on how you and your community can become more involved.

The White House (July 1998)

WHERE YOU CAN GET MORE INFORMATION