As states face increasing fiscal pressures, many are considering proposals to cut eligibility levels, eliminate outreach, and retract simplified enrollment procedures for children and families eligible for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This paper presents evidence on the importance of maintaining gains made in…

A study of the effect of state and federal welfare reforms over the period 1990-2000 on health insurance coverage and healthcare utilization by single women aged between 20-45 is presented. It is observed that Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996 which replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program of 1990s with…

This paper begins by noting that at the time that Medicare was enacted in 1965, the plans for funding Medicare through a mix of public and private financing mechanisms seemed quite adequate. It goes on to explain how, 20 years later, the situation is changing enough to create a need to examine whether there is a fairer or more efficient way to…

As one of a series of topic papers assessing federal laws and programs affecting persons with disabilities, this paper outlines several ways in which existing Social Security laws serve to discourage and penalize people with disabilities if they seek to become employed and self-supporting. Programs funded under the Social Security Act are…

Noting that children with special health care needs (CSHCN) make up one of every six children eligible for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), this study examined how SCHIP responded to the needs of children with chronic illnesses and disabilities. This qualitative study was based on the implementation experiences in 18 states.…

Analysis of the crisis in our nation's health care delivery system, and efforts being made for prompt correction. (IR)

This Children's Defense Fund report summarizes findings of a national survey, which indicate detrimental effects of Federal budget cuts in health care funds on economically disadvantaged mothers and children. Suggests that health funds for mothers and children are more important than defense expenditures and tax cuts for the non-needy. (MJL)

Several problems of the U.S. health care system are reviewed, including rising costs, increasing numbers of people who are uninsured, and the financial failure of public hospitals that treat uninsured patients. A plan called "Health America," which will guarantee health care for every U.S. family and control soaring health care costs, is…

Purpose: This study examines whether the relationship between making familial wealth transfers and becoming a Medicaid recipient sheds light on the current debate about Medicaid estate planning, whereby some elders transfer their assets to their families to qualify for Medicaid. Design and Methods: Using the Health and Retirement Study, we tracked…

The articles in this journal issue provide an overview of ways in which health services are presently delivered to children, youth, and pregnant women; the means by which these services are financed; and some of the major deficiencies in meeting the health needs of these groups. In the first article, the Center for the Future of Children presents…

Data from the 1997 National Survey of America's Families (NSAF) are analyzed to estimate the number and composition of children lacking health insurance prior to the implementation of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The NSAF is a survey of children and adults under the age of 65 in more than 44,000 households, conducted as…

The interrelationship of market forces, government regulation, and self-regulation is discussed and the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) program involving competition in the health care field is reviewed. Concerns and misconceptions in the medical community about the FTC's involvement in the health care field are addressed. (Author/JMD)

Data are presented on the number of people with developmental disabilities who are projected to lose long-term Medicaid health care services in the year 2002 under the 104th Congress' Medicaid spending reduction proposals. A table illustrates by state the number of people with developmental disabilities receiving services in 1992 and the number…

Provides an overview and discusses some of the implications of the 104th Congress's legislation relating to disability issues. Changes in the federal welfare programs are described as well as passage of legislation dealing with health insurance and reforms, traumatic brain injuries, developmental disabilities programs, and nursing homes.…

Reviews the basic decisions states must make when implementing State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs and reports on the decisions states participating in this federal program have made, as reflected in the plans they submitted to the Health Care Financing Administration. Sources of information about the program are included.…