Study Credits States for Increase in Children's Insurance Coverage

Published December 23, 2015

More children have obtained health insurance over the past few years despite a sharp increase in the number of kids living in poverty, according to a new study out of Georgetown University.

The study found that although the number of children living in poverty rose by 19 percent between 2008 and 2010, the number of uninsured dropped by 14 percent.

The report described the finding as "a rare piece of good news" in a weak economy. It attributed the change to the success of two government health care programs, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

While the report praised certain provisions of the federal health care overhaul, the increase in children's insurance coverage generally reflected other factors. Under the law, Medicaid will not be expanded nationally until 2014.

Rather, the Georgetown researchers said the improvements were due in large part to decisions at the state level.

"Over the last 10 years, states have made advances in expanding eligibility to more moderate-income families and have also simplified application and renewal processes to increase children's enrollment and retention in the programs," the report found. The study was conducted by the Georgetown Health Policy Institute's Center for Children and Families.

According to the report, the number of uninsured children dropped from 6.9 million in 2008 to 5.9 million in 2010 -- with 34 states registering a significant decrease.

The number now represents 8 percent of all children in the U.S.

The study showed Massachusetts has the lowest rate for uninsured children, while Nevada has the highest.

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