New Research Shows Simplifying Medicaid Can Reduce Children's Hospitalizations

Publication Date: June 2007

Publisher: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (Washington, D.C.)

Author(s): Leighton Ku

Research Area: Health

Keywords: Economic projections; Health care costs; Health insurance; Preventative medicine

Type: Report

Abstract:

New research indicates that increasing the continuity of children’s Medicaid coverage reduces subsequent hospitalizations for chronic health conditions like asthma or diabetes. The research — a new study conducted by Dr. Andrew Bindman and his associates at the University of California at San Francisco, which was unveiled at a scientific conference on June 4 — indicates that improving the continuity of Medicaid coverage through what is known as “12-month continuous eligibility” can improve children’s health and avert unnecessary hospitalization costs.