Health Care Access and Use Among Low-Income Children on Subsidized Insurance Programs in California.

Publication Date: May 2008

Publisher: Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

Author(s): Anna Saltzman; Shanna Shulman; Michael Cousineau; Dana Hughes

Research Area: Health

Keywords: Low-income children; Healthy Kids; CaliforniaKids

Type: Report

Coverage: California

Abstract:

This paper summarizes the CaliforniaKids and Healthy Kids programs--county-based insurance programs in California for low-income children. The study examined features of both programs, use of basic health care services by the children enrolled, and typical experiences accessing inpatient and other high-cost care. Children enrolled in the two programs made substantial use of outpatient health care, despite important variation in program features. The study concludes with recommendations on how future research can more rigorously and precisely examine children's access and use of the programs.