Access to health coverage

• We advocate for access to health care coverage.
• One in five women of childbearing age is uninsured.
• More than 8 million children under age 19 are uninsured.

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Longstanding March of Dimes policy calls for all women of childbearing age, infants and children to have access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance coverage that meets their needs.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, in 2009, 13.7 million women of childbearing age and more than 8 million children are uninsured.

Having insurance coverage affects how and whether women and children can obtain needed health care services. In 2007, the Institute of Medicine reported that uninsured women receive fewer prenatal services and experience greater difficulty in obtaining needed care than women with insurance.

And in the case of uninsured children, IOM found that they are the most likely to have no usual source of medical care: 30.9 percent compared with only 2.6 percent of children with private insurance and 4.3 percent of children in public insurance programs.

Federal advocacy efforts

The March of Dimes was instrumental in developing and securing enactment of numerous health reform provisions important to women and children. And, in 2008-2009, the Foundation co-led a coalition of more than 70 organizations central to reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

This month, the March of Dimes, AAP, ACOG and other organizations urged members of the U.S. Senate to oppose an amendment by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO), Senate Amendment 1520, to the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (S.1813).

State advocacy efforts

March of Dimes Chapters are advocating for implementation of each of these measures as well as for public health programs designed to improve maternal and child health.

 

See also: Data Book for Policy Makers, March of Dimes contribution to CHIP reauthorizaion, What health reform means to you and your family