Kentucky Continues to Provide Health Insurance to Children at a Rate Higher than the National Average

« Back

Nov 29th, 2011

Kentucky Continues to Provide Health Insurance to Children at a Rate Higher than the National Average

New Analysis Shows National Progress in Extending Coverage

Kentucky continues to cover children with health insurance at a rate well above the national average, according to a new report authored by the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute’s Center for Children and Families and released by Kentucky Youth Advocates, the Kentucky Equal Justice Center, Kentucky Voices for Health, and Covering Kentucky Kids and Families.

Kentucky’s rate of uninsured kids was measured at 6.0% in 2010, not statistically different from the measured rate of 6.5% for 2008, despite challenging unemployment and increases in child poverty. Nationwide, the rate of uninsured children went from 9.0% in 2008 to 8.0% in 2010.

“The progress on children’s health insurance is due to the success of Medicaid and KCHIP, which have continued to fill the void created by a decline in employer-based health insurance, high unemployment, and the increasing cost of private health insurance,” said Jodi Mitchell, Executive Director for Kentucky Voices for Health.

“We’re thankful that Kentucky’s leaders have stayed strong in their commitment to covering kids,” said Anne Joseph of Covering Kentucky Kids and Families. “It’s imperative that they continue on this course to ensure that Medicaid and KCHIP will continue to provide a crucial lifeline to children during these turbulent times.”

Analyzing newly available data from the Census Bureau, the Georgetown researchers examined the changes in coverage rates for children from 2008 through 2010. Over that time period, Kentucky had about 62,000 uninsured children according the report, which uses data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia reduced their rate of uninsured children over those three years,

while only one state (Minnesota) experienced an increase in the rate. Kentucky and the remaining states held steady and saw no significant change in coverage rates.

“While Kentucky has made much progress in enrolling eligible children in Medicaid and KCHIP, more can be done to get and keep kids enrolled,” said Andrea Plummer, Senior Policy Analyst for Kentucky Youth Advocates. “Kentucky can use innovative approaches that other states are using such as allowing children to stay enrolled in Medicaid or KCHIP for 12 continuous months since families’ incomes often fluctuate throughout the year.”

While state-specific demographic data are not available, nationally there are some important differences worth noting among demographic groups. Hispanic and Native American children remain disproportionately uninsured, older children are less likely to be covered than younger children, and uninsured rates are higher for children living in families earning below 50 percent of the poverty line.

“This report highlights a rare piece of good news at a challenging time for children - poverty has gone up, but more kids are insured,” said Joan Alker, Co-executive Director of the Georgetown Center for Children and Families. “State leaders, with strong federal support through Medicaid and CHIP, have provided some much needed peace of mind to many families struggling to meet their children’s health care needs during perilous economic times. These gains are fragile and could quickly be reversed if state or federal support erodes.”

"Investing in kids health is one of the best investments we can make for the future of Kentucky,” concluded Rich Seckel, Director of Kentucky Equal Justice Center.

Read the full report here.

« Back

Coalition Partners