Children without health insurance in Connecticut

Children who are covered by insurance are more likely to have a regular health care provider, and to receive care when they need it. Parents of children without coverage may be forced to delay or forego seeking treatment for their children’s health issues. Uninsured children who do receive treatment are more likely to do so after conditions have worsened. A 2009 analysis of two well-known large inpatient databases found that children who were hospitalized without insurance have significantly increased all-cause in-hospital mortality as compared to those who are insured. ^[i] New research suggests that parent mentorship programs which assist families in enrolling in health insurance coverage, accessing care, and mitigating some of the social determinants of health, can be effective in increasing the health insurance enrollment among Hispanic and Latino children, who have the highest rate of childhood uninsurance nationwide. ^[ii]

Children who are covered by insurance are more likely to have a regular health care provider, and to receive care when they need it. Parents of children without coverage may be forced to delay or forego seeking treatment for their children’s health issues. Uninsured children who do receive treatment are more likely to do so after conditions have worsened. A 2009 analysis of two well-known large inpatient databases found that children who were hospitalized without insurance have significantly increased all-cause in-hospital mortality as compared to those who are insured. ^[i] New research suggests that parent mentorship programs which assist families in enrolling in health insurance coverage, accessing care, and mitigating some of the social determinants of health, can be effective in increasing the health insurance enrollment among Hispanic and Latino children, who have the highest rate of childhood uninsurance nationwide. ^[ii]