Prior to the Affordable Care Act, programs like Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) were already in place to provide health coverage for underprivileged youth. However, a significant gap in this coverage was found for minority children, primarily Latino and African American. The reason? A lack of information.
In a report released by the International Journal for Equity in Health, more than 50% of Black and Latino families had no idea their children were eligible for free or reduced cost health care. The three-year study occurred in Dallas, Texas from 2011-2014, where samples individuals were collected from 97 locations, including low income housing, food banks, and Goodwill stores. These individuals were uninsured and either Latino/Hispanic or African American/Black and surveyed on their awareness of programs such as Medicaid and CHIP. 49% weren’t aware of their children’s eligibility, with 95% having had insurance for their children in the past (though currently uninsured). Of that 49% of individuals, about 57% of Latinos were unaware, versus 40% of African Americans. While cost would be the assumed reason for lack of coverage, 30% of parents never reapplied for it upon losing prior coverage. Others initially attempted to apply but received no response and gave up, lost coverage due to late payments, or failed to submit the required paperwork. The language barrier was another factor.
Parents admitted to carrying the burden of out of pocket costs for visits and emergency health care—averaging $593 for hospital visits and $47 for check-ups. This is in view of two-thirds of children who lacked insurance having conditions like asthma and eczema, with 40% lacking necessary preventative care. 35% of the parents indicated that their financial burdens were largely due to their children’s health care.
There are a number of factors that are attributed to lack of information over lack of access. As the Affordable Care Act continues to work towards covering all Americans, better access to information should result in an increase in minority families accessing their health care options.
To read the International Journal for Equity In Health’s report, click here: