The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) called attention to the recently released data by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services which shows that the number of children without public health coverage has increased. The drop is significant as the number of children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) decreased by 840,000 last year.
According to the AAP, this trend is dangerous as this is the second increase in the number of uninsured children in nearly 10 years. The first recorded increase in about a decade was in 2017 when the number fell by 276,000 as compared to 2016’s figures.
In an effort to address the decrease in the number of insured children, the AAP worked with other institutions with the same goal. This move was done to compelled legislators to act to reinforce accessible public healthcare coverage.
The group says that the public health crises faced by the United States make this matter more concerning. AAP and other organizations have taken steps to inform Congress of this alarming issue.
Aside from their statements, the group has also acted on state and federal levels in order to protect children and their families’ rights to affordable healthcare.
The Academy is dedicated to its advocacy for children’s affordable health insurance. To this end, it has launched initiatives to ensure that healthcare coverage remains accessible to the public. It has also taken action against budget cut proposals and efforts to weaken the Affordable Care Act.
Inefficient systems, administrative issues and changes to procedures also contribute to the weakening public health insurance policies.
While further studies are needed, the AAP says that its efforts to pursue children’s coverage will not cease and that it will continue to communicate with legislative offices to achieve their goal.
