Categories: Chicago

Number of Illinois kids without health insurance growing

Across the nation, the number of kids growing without health insurance is rising and it is the same in Illinois as annual enrollment begins for programs under the Affordable Care Act. Obamacare had spurred the progress of providing kids with health insurance but a recent study shows that progress has been halted.

According to a study by Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, the number of insured kids is rising and, at more than 4 million last year. This is the highest number since the ACA’s major coverage expansions first took effect in 2014. Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families and a research professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy says “Recent policy changes and the failure to make children’s health a priority have undercut bipartisan initiatives and the Affordable Care Act, which had propelled our nation forward on children’s health coverage.”

Alker had co-written the study, added: “This serious erosion of child health coverage is due in large part to the Trump administration’s actions or inactions that have made health coverage harder to access and have deterred families from enrolling their eligible children in Medicaid.” According to the study, Illinois is part of the 15 states showing “statistically significant” increases in the number or rate of uninsured children.

The study reports that more than 100,000 kids are without insurance. This figure is a 24 percent increase in just two years since 2016. Stephanie Altman, senior director of policy at the Chicago-based Shriver Center for Poverty Law says “These numbers are especially alarming, given that our state provides coverage to all children from low-income families without regard to immigration status.”

Altman added, “The federal government’s public-charge rule proposal undoubtedly had a chilling effect on immigrant families enrolling their children in programs they are eligible for.” According to the Shriver Center, low-income families of color comprise the highest number of uninsured kids.

Jackson Sorbo

Managing editor of the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

Senate Democrats mock Biden for selling weapons to Israel

Some of President Biden's strongest Senate allies are calling on Israelis to end months of fierce fighting and criticizing the…

11 months ago

The biggest cities in Ukraine are struck by Russian missiles, leaving at least 4 dead and over 100 injured

Ukraine's KYIV — At least four people were killed and nearly 100 injured when Russian hypersonic ballistic missiles attacked Ukraine's…

11 months ago

Good News That’s Much Needed for Biden

The economy is making Americans feel a little more upbeat, especially when it comes to jobs and incomes, which could…

12 months ago

College Ventilation System Reveals Missing Man

The discovery of a decaying body inside a college ventilation system marked the tragic and unexplained end to a missing…

12 months ago

Following three Palestinian shots, a Vermont man was arrested

Following the shooting deaths of three 20-year-old Palestinian-American students in Vermont, authorities have detained a man. According to a news…

12 months ago

China is told to cease “COVID deception” due to the pneumonia outbreak by the US envoy

The United States ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, urged Chinese authorities "to abandon COVID deception" and demanded that China be…

12 months ago

This website uses cookies.