This report assesses hardship among children of immigrants nationwide and in states with large immigrant populations (California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington). Data from the 1999 National Survey of America's Families show that hardship is greater for children of immigrants than for the children of…

The high cost of providing medical care through Medicaid has prompted the federal government to examine ways to constrain costs. One experiment to limit Medicaid costs is Arizona's Health Care Cost Containment System, under which the state contracts with prepaid health plans to provide comprehensive medical care for a set monthly fee per patient.…

State Medicaid expenditures for Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF-MR) increased sharply between 1980 and 1984. The ICF-MR bed capacity declined relative to the total state population, while numbers of ICF-MR Medicaid recipients increased. Trends among states are examined, emphasizing changes in demographic factors,…

This document presents witness testimonies and prepared statements from the Congressional hearing called to examine the plight of the medically uninsured in America. Opening statements are included from Senators John Heinz, Charles E. Grassley, Christopher J. Dodd, and John Glenn; prepared statements are given from Senators Lawton Chiles and…

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.…

Based on the assumption that all American children deserve an opportunity to be born healthy and to grow up healthy, this guide presents the recommendations approved by the majority of the National Commission on Children for improving the health of the nation's pregnant women and children. The Commission's five recommendations are: (1) provide…

This report, first in a series of eight, is based on findings from a survey of the opinions of Californians, parents and nonparents, about everyday concerns of children, youth, and their families. It highlights the opinions of California parents about children's health insurance coverage. This information is particularly relevant as California…

Recently states have increasingly turned to managed care arrangements to finance and deliver health services to Medicaid beneficiaries. As this trend continues, states should carefully monitor changes in program costs and quality and implications for delivery of pediatric services and health outcomes for children. (SLD)

Data were gathered from all state Medicaid programs, 11 health insurance carriers, and 140 firms offering health insurance to employees, concerning coverage of various services needed by young children with disabilities, including ancillary therapies, mental health services, and case management. Results revealed that Medicaid offered the greatest…

This publication addresses the issue of low birthweight and what state legislatures can do to reduce its incidence, particularly in regard to ensuring prenatal care. Other than prevention of unwanted pregnancies, provison of good prenatal care is the most effective strategy for reducing the number of low birthweight babies. This text describes:…

Provides an overview of the major federal and state health care programs serving children and pregnant women, including (1) Medicaid; (2) the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Program; (3) the Community and Migrant Health Center Program; and (4) the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children. (SLD)