Study: 1 In 4 Kids Go Without Health Care

CBS News Has Learned Researchers Found Bigger Health Care Gap Than Thought For Children

(CBS)  Some uninsured children of the working poor don't go to the doctor's office; it comes to them.

They make too much for Medicaid but not enough to have their own insurance.

And 150,000 patients per year, nationwide, get free care from 21 mobile units provided by the Children's Health Fund. But a new report out Thursday from this non-profit group says far too many kids are falling into a huge health care crevice, CBS News has learned exclusively.

The group's report finds despite billions of dollars in government spending, more than one in four children still don't have full-time health care — a gap twice as big as anyone thought, CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports.

"It's more than just insurance and lack of insurance, that are keeping children from getting medical care," says Dr. Irwin Redlener, president of the Children's Health Fund of Columbia University.

It's estimated that 9 million children are completely uninsured. But the new study says 11.5 million more kids end up without medical care for part of the year. And another 3 million can't get a ride to the doctor. That's more than 23 million children.

To close the gap, Redlener is on Capitol Hill lobbying for a dramatic expansion of the $5 billion federal Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP. Redlener wants to add 9 million people to CHIP, plus dental and mental health benefits and transportation.

The price tag for all that? "Really what we need is $60 billion. Between $50 and $60 billion," he says.

Getting that type of government assistance may be a long shot, but Redlener says it's cheaper than the cost of neglecting the medical needs of a generation of children.

[shanev137]

It's a good thing we just gave $500 BILLION to Iraq to help them fight their civil war.

[middleman8]

$500 billion dollars for Irack attack, not one cent for our children. This is what democracy stands for U S style. Lets spread this world wide. ha ha

[middleman8]

shanev137 gave iraq $500 billion...

That $500billion was used by the bush war mongrels to kill a people and destroy their country. Nothing has been given to help Iraq.

[radiob-2009]

Something this congress can get accomplished if it has the mind to is affordable health care for all citizens of the US.

[retmilspouse]

If the mothers of these children would get married and then dads take responsibility and get the children insured at their work, this would not be a problem. They choose to have them out of wedlock to get checks and food stamps. Alot of them are living with the dads but choose not to get married. Getting the working parent a job with a company that has health insurance is also a key. But most of these people do not want to pay the premiums even when they have a job that offers it. I know because my husband works at a Fortune 500 company that has great healthcare that is affordable, but the young single moms choose to not take the insurance for their children. That should be against the law.

[mecanik-2009]

More and more jobs are not offering health care as a standard benifit. The cost of Health care is sky rocketing to such obscene levels. The medical industry has got crooked politicians in there hind pocket. Like it or not, this country will see socailized medicine within the next 10 years.

[generey]

The group's report finds despite billions of dollars in government spending, more than one in four children still don't have full-time health care

What is NOT mentioned here is that these children are AMERICAN BORN CITIZENS, CHILDREN OF AMERICANS.
Put in line in the "system" BEHIND non-citizen children of non citizens.

[radiob-2009]

I wish they could but there is no simple solution. Those greedy drug companies? If theiur not going to make billions on a new drug their not going to spend Millions on reasearch.



Posted by didntinhale

Stop subsidizing the industry. The same drugs that are made here are sold overseas for less. We the American consumer is paying the difference. And you can keep Hilary and all the other candiates on both sides of the aisle.

[mh4cbs1]

$ 500 BILLION Wasted in Iraq, in a needless War basled on LIES.

Our congress spends OVER HALF of your tax $$ on WAR!

Our congress spends more on WAR than ALL OTHER Nations COMBINED!

Bush gave the super wealthy massive tax cuts and is running a skyrocketing debt.

WHEN will the American Sheeple WAKE UP and impeach and JAIL Cheney and Bush, and vote OUT all the spineless complicit corporate Democrats??

[stezzer]

There's something morally wrong if working parents can't get medical care for their children.

America sends billions of dollars in aid around the world, and yet the very people who pay taxes towards that aid can't get help at home.

Congratulations CBS for highlighting this issue.

[wiredwilly]

Not bad, but now that Mr. Bush Vetoed the Iraq Bill we can spend more on Iraq and make it four out of four. If we just shut the schools we could even spend more on Iraq and with some luck, when all the elderly are on the streets because they've lost everything to medical costs, we can take their Social Security and spend that on Iraq as well. We have only spent $500,000,000,000. on Iraq. That is a disgrace. As John Kennedy challenged us to reach the moon, we should set as a goal to spend the entire Gross National Product on Iraq by the year 2020. In fact, we could sell the entire Country to China, take the money and spend it on Iraq. That would leave us with almost nothing, but so what. As any schoolboy knows, it's our duty to work hard and send the money to Iraq. Just think, if Iraq falls, Viet Nam might be next.

[sparks224]

This is your %u201Cfamily values%u201D Republican party in action folks.

[sparks224]

This %u201Cfree market, privatized%u201D healthcare system is obviously immoral.

In a civilized society some things need to be publicly funded. And it would cost us less than it does now.

For some people, getting rich in America is as easy as stealing healthcare from a baby.

[downtowner97]

If you can't feed 'em, don't breed 'em. Vasectomies are cheap.

[samthetvcat]

I wonder if part of the problem with the high costs of healthcare is the high costs of medical malpractice insurance. I can't in good faith say that it seems like in the big picture scheme of things malpractice actually makes the system more efficient and accountable - like it seems to be more of a drain, which is just tragic when kids' health is at risk and a psychotic Chimp is in charge.

If malpractice is actually doing society more harm than good, it'd be nice to see Congress actually address this and put children's health in front of deference for lawyers - like I can appreciate how weird that kind of feels, but I think it's the right thing to do . . . wouldn't solve the whole problem, but it seems like it would help . . .

[truth_hurts2]

PERHAPS BEFORE ONE PURCHASES THE FAMILY A FLAT SCREEN, BUY SOME INSURANCE

[perception5]

The problem is the fact that we have thousands of trial lawyers, like John "the divider" Edwards, are feeding off our institutions like vampires feeding on their host.

It is THIS reason why 47 million Americans can't afford health insurance.

In 2003 the US tort was $246 billion or $845 per citizen or $3,380 for a family of four.

These same "vampire" trial lawyers have sent millions of dollars of political contributions flowing into the pockets of Members of Congress. The bulk of this filthy money has gone to the DEMOCRATS (what a big surprise).

When the GOP tries to pass "tort" reform in Congress the Dems "always" vote against it.....really sad.

The goal is to make victims "whole" NOT "multi-millionaires".

So if you want to place blame for our high health insurance costs call folks like John Edwards, when he's getting a $400 haircut, and tell him "thanks alot" and put a call in to the Dems in our DO-NOTHING CONGRESS.

[bdwyser]

You cant blame the war in Iraq, there was no health care before it, and I am sure there wont be any after. Dont misunderstand me, I think its a stupid stituation that we have gotten into over there, but not everything can be blamed on the war or Bush. The drug companies, the mal-practice suits,insurance companies and the doctors are to blame for the over priced health care, and until we as a country start to hold the right people and problems accountible nothing will change.

[mcvet]

So if you want to place blame for our high health insurance costs call folks like John Edwards, when he's getting a $400 haircut, and tell him "thanks alot" and put a call in to the Dems in our DO-NOTHING CONGRESS.
Posted by perception5 at 07:44 AM : May 03, 2007
+ report abuse

You Nazi's aren't going to accept the reasons or responsibility for anything. The Laws of this nation nor our freedoms are NOT the reason we do not have a functioning health care system. We see MORE money spent per person for less care than any nation in the G-7. Now EITHER they have less rights than we do or your agrument is just bunk. I'd suggest Trial Lawyers have as much if not more freedom to represent citizens in the other nations and our system is just not worth blowing up. Sieg Heil

[mcvet]

If you can't feed 'em, don't breed 'em. Vasectomies are cheap.
Posted by downtowner97 at 01:29 AM : May 03, 2007
+ report abuse

Right!! Leave it to a Fascist to come up with something like this. You people are as disgusting as any people on Earth. In case you never noticed Swastika Breath, a LOT of people work and ONCE got health care through their jobs. Now slime back under your rock and we'll call you when a REAL solution is found for the problem. Sieg Heil

[feedback3-2009]

I don't see how this is important since President Bush has already appeared on American Idol to address this issue.

I also agree that poor people buy too many flat screen TVs (but at least they are able to watch President Bush dance in HD).

[mcvet]

You cant blame the war in Iraq, there was no health care before it, and I am sure there wont be any after. Dont misunderstand me, I think its a stupid stituation that we have gotten into over there, but not everything can be blamed on the war or Bush. The drug companies, the mal-practice suits,insurance companies and the doctors are to blame for the over priced health care, and until we as a country start to hold the right people and problems accountible nothing will change.
Posted by bdwyser at 07:57 AM : May 03, 2007
+ report abuse

The POINT is that Bush and the Fascist Party will spend BILLIONS of our Tax Dollars "fixing" the Health Care System of Iraq but not ONE dollar to fix the Health Care of this nation. It's time we put America First. This all started with the "Free Trade" Garbage which has been and continues to be a complete failure. Not ONE YEAR since we started down this path has this nation seen its Standard of Living end up Number ONE. Now BEFORE Free Trade we were Number One quite often.

[infidel_us]

If you can't afford them, maybe you shouldn't have them? It takes money to properly raise a child.....money and sacrifices.

[infidel_us]

So if you want to place blame for our high health insurance costs call folks like John Edwards.
Posted by perception5 at 07:44 AM : May 03, 2007

Well said! That's exactly it.....trial lawyers. But with all the lawyers in congress, you will NEVER see tort reform pass. The ABA lobby is too big.

[perception5]

Well said! That's exactly it.....trial lawyers. But with all the lawyers in congress, you will NEVER see tort reform pass. The ABA lobby is too big.
Posted by Infidel_US at 08:44 AM : May 03, 2007


......... Yeah and unfortunately for millions of Americans our corrupt liberal MSM wolfpack continues to "cover up" the reasons WHY health care costs so much.........in support of their close pals the DEMs in our 110th Do-Nothing Congress and their filthy rich trial lawyer "donors".

[condumism]

The demise of the USA began in 1981, when GOP Fascist Ronald Reagan came into office preaching self-centeredness in the name of some fake messiah. Then, after America was well on its way to being a nation of Zombies, in 1994, these self-centered American's elected what we now know as the worst Congress in the histroy of mankind, worse than the one in the 1850's. After 16 years of what I term as "CONDUMISM," the USA and its self-centered Zombies cheer at the thought of the USA's new 3rd world status, all in the interestes of preserving self-centeredness based upon hate for our fellow man. Thank you self-centered GOPigs, better known as the inbred southern states, for taking America back to pre-civil war days!

[perception5]

Thank you self-centered GOPigs, better known as the inbred southern states, for taking America back to pre-civil war days!
Posted by condumism at 09:52 AM : May 03, 2007


....... wow condumism you are really "contaminated". The Democrats started the Civil War when they lost to Abe Lincoln during the election of 1860. Abe wanted to free the slaves, but the Democrats didn't want any "free slaves"........ so we ended up with a civil war.

Thanks Dems......!

[mmw12]

Oh my gosh. so many people want to blame others it is sad. This is a cycle. If you make enough money to pay rent, buy groceries, pay utilities, pay for fuel to get you back and forth to work, health insurance comes at the bottom of the list because it costs more than a car to have good coverage for a family of 4. Heaven help you if you have had any health issues in the past you will be denied, period. For those in the middle income range if you make enough money to pay for all the above mentioned you do not qualify for Goverment funded programs because you make too much money, What? So what we are really telling people is make less money so you can afford to have the government programs. The whole system needs to be reworked. Blaming the Republicans or the Demacrats is just a waste of time. We must find a solution to this problem and stop depending on the government to take care of it.

[condumism]

Posted by perception5:

wow condumism you are really "contaminated". The Democrats started the Civil War when they lost to Abe Lincoln during the election of 1860. Abe wanted to free the slaves, but the Democrats didn't want any "free slaves".

Southerners were Democrats only in name, that is until Lyndon Johnson started civil rights. Then these Southern racist dogs became Republicons, but remained the fascists, and self-centered hypocrits as they've always been. FAct is, Southerners are parasites, and have always been a blight upon America. It's time to undo the damage done to the USA by your Republicon hero Abe Lincoln, and demand the these Southern parasite States go their own way. But parasites are so weak, they always have to leach onto something, as thse Southern Fascist Dogs have in the USA for the last 150 years.

[drivelphobe]

It's not really 1 in 4 unless you're an American citizen. If you're an Illegal or an anchor baby, the stats say 100% of children have healthcare, and guess what? It's provided at no cost by the tax-paying American electorate who don't want them here. I pay $14,000 per year for my wife and me with Blue Cross. I may change my name and pretend to not understand English. I'll be first in line for the freebies.

[processor2]

I would agree to a "single-payer" healthcare system,
so long as the "single-payer" is NOT the government.

Can you imagine George Bush having access to all your personal problems!!

...

PS

CONDUMISM

Don't fret, after reconstruction, one day the North will rise again

...

[processor2]

I would agree to a "single-payer" healthcare system,
so long as the "single-payer" is NOT the government.

Can you imagine George Bush having access to all your personal problems!!

...

PS

CONDUMISM

Don't fret, after reconstruction, one day the North will rise again

...

[processor2]

I would agree to a "single-payer" healthcare system,
so long as the "single-payer" is NOT the government.

Can you imagine George Bush having access to all your personal problems!!

...

PS

CONDUMISM

Don't fret, after reconstruction, one day the North will rise again

...

[processor2]

I would agree to a "single-payer" healthcare system,
so long as the "single-payer" is NOT the government.

Can you imagine George Bush having access to all your personal problems!!

...

PS

CONDUMISM

Don't fret, after reconstruction, one day the North will rise again

...

[processor2]

I would agree to a "single-payer" healthcare system,
so long as the "single-payer" is NOT the government.

Can you imagine George Bush having access to all your personal problems!!

...

PS

CONDUMISM

Don't fret, after reconstruction, one day the North will rise again

...

[processor2]

I would agree to a "single-payer" healthcare system,
so long as the "single-payer" is NOT the government.

Can you imagine George Bush having access to all your personal problems!!

...

PS

CONDUMISM

Don't fret, after reconstruction, one day the North will rise again

...

[condumism]

Posted by drivelphobe

I pay $14,000 per year for my wife and me with Blue Cross. I may change my name and pretend to not understand English. I'll be first in line for the freebies.

You've been listening to too much Fascist FOX, so you're full of propoganda, with a head full of scapegoats, not facts. The worthless GOP Congress of the past 12 years is the number one reason for your immigartion problems. Self-centered American's that vote for tax cuts instread of what is best for America is why we're in this disasterous medical situation. Europe has socialized medicine, and their medical costs as a part of GNP are HALF that of the USA. You deserve to pay $14,000 grand a year for medical coverage. YOu likely voted for the cause, so live with it. You scapegoat artists deserve this!

[perception5]

Southerners were Democrats only in name, that is until Lyndon Johnson started civil rights. Then these Southern racist dogs became Republicons Posted by condumism at 10:34 AM : May 03, 2007

........condumism, the more you write the more you come across as clueless.

The 1964 Civil Rights Act was blocked the Democrats in Congress until it was moved along
Fact: nearly 40% of the Democrats voted AGAINST the 1964 Civil Right Act

Fact: nearly 90% of the Republicans (the Freedom party) voted FOR the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Fact: Al Gore's father, Al Gore Sr. voted AGAINST the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Are we clear now??

[condumism]

Posted by perception

The 1964 Civil Rights Act was blocked the Democrats in Congress until it was moved along
Fact: nearly 40% of the Democrats voted AGAINST the 1964 Civil Right Act

And everyone of the 40% you refer to were Southern Democrats! Trying to argue any type of logic with those get their views from the Fascist Republicon Party mindset is like arguing with a reincarnated Neanderthal.

[luvny-2009]

perception5 A LOT has changed since 1964. I agree the then Dems are now Reps

[bookwerm314]

Our health system is functionally broken. Insurance companies add costs, they don't save. They save by forcing lower compensation, but then add their costs and profits on top of that, and in the end we are all worse off, with even higher prices.
Our system is not "free enterprise" or "free market" but a hodge podge of drug companies and insurance company influenced hacks and PAC's that set it up for their benefit, not the doctors or the patients.
A systematic evaluation of single payer systems is needed. Yes, Canada and England have troubles, but France and other countries do not, and like anything, you can do things well, or poorly.. but they want us to not do anything at all.
There is huge bloat in our existing system, with fat cat insurance and medical execs getting flown around in private jets to meet with their private equity foundations, while we can't see the doctor without either insurance, or a lot of money.
The money we spend on our failing war on drugs could have insured every kid many times over. Our priorities are hosed.
Where are the valid studies on cost/benefit analysis for our government expenditures?

[perception5]

perception5 A LOT has changed since 1964. I agree the then Dems are now Reps
Posted by luvNY at 01:12 PM : May 03, 2007


........ really luvNY and communism? Then tell us why in these "deep blue" cities like Washington DC Black American children graduation rates are below 50%. Why in Baltimore, another one-party deep blue city, is 72% of Black American males dropping out of High School???

How can you liberals who control these cities even talk about "Social Justice".

FYI.......the rich white liberals in these "deep blue" cities are doing QUITE well though.

Really sad.......where's the SOCIAL JUSTICE?

How much longer are these "plantation" like conditions in these "deep blue" cities going to continue??

Dems it's your responsiblitiy and to date neglect!

Why the way there are STILL lots of Dems in the South their just the minority now.....thank God

[itwasntme000]

The money we spend on our failing war on drugs could have insured every kid many times over. Our priorities are hosed.
Where are the valid studies on cost/benefit analysis for our government expenditures?
Posted by bookwerm314 at 01:14 PM : May 03, 2007

EXACTLY. AND I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FREE COUNTRY.... YET WE ARE TOLD WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT TO OUR OWN BODIES. BUT A DOCTOR CAN GIVE US UNPROVEN CHEMICALS TO TRY TO FIX PROBLEMS.(DRUGS THAT ARE MUCH WORSE THEN MOST OF THE ILLIGAL ONES NOW)

[itwasntme000]

One thing that cracks me up tho is people who complain insurance is to high to be able to afford it, yet they smoke a pack of cigarettes a day and blow money in casinos and bars. ??? i mean *** ???
good thing these people have kids to!!!!

[condumism]

Posted by perception5

Why the way there are STILL lots of Dems in the South their just the minority now.....thank God.

And thank the Gods that the Republicon Party is now a regional party of the original confederate fascist states. These "america hater's and nazi lover's" will never have a majority in the US Congress again for the remainder of all of our lifetimes. No lower life form in the USA than a Southern Hypocrit, aka: Republicon!

[perception5]

No lower life form in the USA than a Southern Hypocrit, aka: Republicon!
Posted by condumism at 02:18 PM : May 03, 2007

......some more history for you condumism, your party started the KKK and the most senior current Democrat Robert Byrd headed up the KKK in his district.

Your liberal propaganda goes against HISTORY..... and I'm not going to allow you to "revise history"

Have a nice day

[condumism]

Europe and Canada have universal helath care, and the cost as a proportion to GNP is 8%. The USA's private coverage is now 16% of GNP, expected to rise to 20% by 2010. This disaster has all been caused by the Republicon Copngress of the past 12 years, allowing pharmacueticals and insureres to wrtie all legislation to get US to this point. The dumbing down of America started by Ronald Reagan is now having huge payoffs to the GOPigs special interests group, ie: Corporate Fascist America.

[condumism]

Posted by perception5
Democrat party started the KKK and the most senior current Democrat Robert Byrd headed up the KKK in his district.

As a paid GOP poster, you sure do get these stories to fit your twisted post Ronald Reagan uneducated mind. Southern Democrats were only Democrat in name. George Wallace for example, was not a Democrat in anybodys mind except his own. This goon represented the hate that did and still does permeate the Southern States. Since you are a pro at twisting the subject here, tell us why again the USA is in such dire straights regarding its health care sustem? Something about illegal immigrants are the couse, which is stratight from the mouth of the Fascist FOX Fake News. Illegals, which are here because of the failed policies of American hating Southern Rethuglcions are one of many scapegoats you fascist dogs use to deflect your ignorance and hypocrisy. Only a fascist dog could come up with the illogical conclusions you inbred Southerners come up with.

[bill1fj]

It seems strange to me that millions of legal citizens go without adequate health care but billions of dollars are spent on illegal aliens health care by the federal and some state governments.
Just doesn't seem right to me.
I think we need a real change in the politicians that supposedly serve us.
This goes for both major parties.

[mikealford3]

Amazing, 1 in 4, 25% of kids go without health care! That is shameful. Trillions spent in Iraq everyday and kids here at home go without. NASA is spending 7 billion to attempt to put a robot on Pluto, and 25% of the kids in America don't have health care. Exxon's former CEO recieved a 25 million dollar "bonus" last year and 25% of the kids in America don't have health care.

MAN DOES THIS COUNTRY HAVE IT'S PRIORITIES WAY MESSED UP.