This joint hearing, held on March 23, 1987, focused on the needs of chronically ill children for catastrophic health insurance. The first panel included the personal accounts of young Americans with chronic health problems, their parents, and a spokesperson from the National Foundation for Home Care. The second panel illustrated the dimension of the problem and included presentations from the Foundation for Hospice and Home Care, American Academy of Pediatrics, Western Association of Children's Hospitals, and National Maternal and Child Health Resource Center. The third panel outlined responses to the catastrophic health care needs of children, prepared by representatives from the Children's Defense Fund, National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, and Consortium for Citizens with Development Disabilities. The appendix, which comprises nearly half the document, contains correspondence, reports, and prepared statements from a member of Congress, national organizations, a medical school, and concerned citizens. (JDD)