Abstract
To describe the state variation, demographic and family characteristics of children eligible for public health insurance but
uninsured. Using data from the National Survey of Children’s Health we selected a subset of children living in households
with incomes <200 % of the federal poverty level, who are generally eligible for Medicaid or CHIP. We used multiple logistic
regression to examine associations between insurance status among this group of eligible children and certain demographic
factors, family characteristics, and state of residence. In adjusted models children aged 6–11 and 12–17 years were more likely
to be eligible but uninsured compared to those aged 0–5 years (AOR 1.57; 95 % CI 1.15–2.16 and AOR 1.93; 95 % CI 1.41–2.64).
Children who received school lunch (AOR 0.67; 95 % CI 0.52–0.86) and SNAP (AOR 0.33; 95 % CI 0.24–0.46) were less likely to
be eligible but uninsured compared to those children not receiving those needs based services; however, a majority (58.7 %)
of eligible uninsured children were enrolled in the school lunch program. Five states (Texas, California, Florida, Georgia,
New York) accounted for 46 % of the eligible uninsured children. Vermont had the lowest adjusted estimate of eligible uninsured
children (3.6 %) and Nevada had the highest adjusted estimate (35.5 %). Using nationally representative data we have identified
specific state differences, demographic and household characteristics that could help guide federal and local initiatives
to improve public health insurance enrollment for children who are eligible but uninsured.
uninsured. Using data from the National Survey of Children’s Health we selected a subset of children living in households
with incomes <200 % of the federal poverty level, who are generally eligible for Medicaid or CHIP. We used multiple logistic
regression to examine associations between insurance status among this group of eligible children and certain demographic
factors, family characteristics, and state of residence. In adjusted models children aged 6–11 and 12–17 years were more likely
to be eligible but uninsured compared to those aged 0–5 years (AOR 1.57; 95 % CI 1.15–2.16 and AOR 1.93; 95 % CI 1.41–2.64).
Children who received school lunch (AOR 0.67; 95 % CI 0.52–0.86) and SNAP (AOR 0.33; 95 % CI 0.24–0.46) were less likely to
be eligible but uninsured compared to those children not receiving those needs based services; however, a majority (58.7 %)
of eligible uninsured children were enrolled in the school lunch program. Five states (Texas, California, Florida, Georgia,
New York) accounted for 46 % of the eligible uninsured children. Vermont had the lowest adjusted estimate of eligible uninsured
children (3.6 %) and Nevada had the highest adjusted estimate (35.5 %). Using nationally representative data we have identified
specific state differences, demographic and household characteristics that could help guide federal and local initiatives
to improve public health insurance enrollment for children who are eligible but uninsured.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-012-0995-x
- Authors
- Michael Crocetti, Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, 1501 S. Clinton St, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- Sharon R. Ghazarian, Bayview Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Data Management Core, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- David Myles, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Osondu Ogbuoji, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Tina L. Cheng, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875