EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL: |
CONTACT:
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Bill
Barker |
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Wednesday, March 15, 2000 at 5:00 AM EST |
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(202) 419-3420 |
Millions of
Health Insurance-Eligible Teens Remain Uninsured
New
Study Finds States Must Work Harder to Enroll More Than 2 Million
Eligible Adolescents
WASHINGTON, DC (March 15, 2000) A new study, released today
by the Center
for Adolescent Health & the Law, a project of Advocates
for Youth, highlights that of the 3.7 million American adolescents
who are uninsured, more than 2.3 million are eligible
for, but not enrolled in Medicaid or the State Children's
Health Insurance Program (CHIP) passed by Congress in 1997.
"American adolescents face serious health challenges,
including high rates of suicide, pregnancy, HIV and other
sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, mental and
emotional illness, and poor nutrition. Each state has the
responsibility to ensure that young people get all of
the coverage they need," said Abigail English, Director
of the Center for Adolescent Health & the Law.
"Medicaid and CHIP offer states an unprecedented opportunity
to meet the health care needs of America's teenagers. Uninsured
youth will benefit from Medicaid and CHIP only if the
states in which they live choose to extend eligibility to
them and if states then work to enroll them," said
English. "While many states have used CHIP funds to
expand coverage for adolescents, most states are still not
doing enough," concluded English.
The challenge is for policy makers to seize the opportunity
to provide comprehensive coverage for teens and young adults
who are uninsured at higher rates than other age groups. "When
it comes to health care coverage in this country, teenagers
are being left behind," said James Wagoner, President
of Advocates for Youth. "It is staggering that 1.3 million
uninsured adolescents under age 19 remain ineligible for
Medicaid or CHIP," added Wagoner.
CHIP made available $48 billion in federal funds over ten
years to help states expand health insurance coverage to
low-income children and youth. The study, Adolescents
in Public Health Insurance Programs: Medicaid and CHIP,
finds that while these programs help some young people obtain
coverage, many states still fail to address the comprehensive
and unique needs of their adolescents.
"States must expand eligibility to the maximum federal
allowance. They must work aggressively to enroll all eligible
youth. They must address the diverse and complex needs of
young people with a comprehensive set of benefits that includes
preventive care as well as diagnostic and treatment services," concluded
English.
The Center for Adolescent Health & the Law is a project
of Advocates for Youth, a national non-profit organization
dedicated to creating programs and promoting policies that
help young people make informed and responsible decisions
about their sexual and reproductive health. Based in Chapel
Hill, North Carolina, the Center addresses the full range
of legal and policy issues influencing the financing, delivery,
and utilization of comprehensive health services for youth.
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Center
for Adolescent Health & the Law
A Project of Advocates for Youth
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Center
for Adolescent Health & the Law
211 North Columbia Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: (919) 968-8850
Fax: (919) 968-8854
www.adolescenthealthlaw.org
|
Advocates
for Youth
2000 M Street NW, Suite 750
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202.419.3420
Fax: 202.419.1448
www.advocatesforyouth.org
|
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Note
to Editors and Producers: For information specific
to your state, to receive a copy of the report, or to
set up an interview, please contact Bill Barker at (202)
419-3420.
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