Child Medical Insurance is Important
A new study shows just how important having health insurance is for children: kids without a medical plan are twice as likely to die from injuries as compared to those with insurance.
The study, according to US Today, was sent to congressional committees this week as the budget for health insurance programs for children are being renewed.
Low-income families without insurance often seek medical care at emergency rooms. Hospitals are required by law to treat emergency patients - whether or not the patient is insured. In 2004, hospitals faced more than $25 billion of unpaid emergency visits.
The kids who show up in emergency rooms without health insurance aren't receiving the same care that insured kids get:
Some hospital representatives are opposed to the study's findings, stating that the research was incomplete. But the bottom line is it's always a good idea to have family health insurance, especially when the safety of children is at stake.
The study, according to US Today, was sent to congressional committees this week as the budget for health insurance programs for children are being renewed.
Low-income families without insurance often seek medical care at emergency rooms. Hospitals are required by law to treat emergency patients - whether or not the patient is insured. In 2004, hospitals faced more than $25 billion of unpaid emergency visits.
The kids who show up in emergency rooms without health insurance aren't receiving the same care that insured kids get:
- Uninsured children with general injuries were more likely to die in 26 of 29 states
- 44% were less likely to go into rehabilitation
- Kids with traumatic brain injury were released after 4 days, instead of the usual 8 days for insured patients
- Those with appendicitis were 18% less likely to have the more expensive laparoscopic appendectomy
- Middle ear infections were 57% less likely to get treated with ear tubes surgically inserted
Some hospital representatives are opposed to the study's findings, stating that the research was incomplete. But the bottom line is it's always a good idea to have family health insurance, especially when the safety of children is at stake.
