Proposed bill proposes state-run health plan for uninsured children including the undocumented – delawarebusinessnow.com

Two legislators are proposing a state-run insurance program for children who do not have health coverage.

Sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith, D-north Wilmington and Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington, the Cover All Delaware Children Act would direct the Department of Health and Social Services to develop and operate a medical coverage program for children in Delaware who are not otherwise covered, including undocumented children.

The cost of the legislation was not listed in a release from House Democrats. Bills that involve state funds get a fiscal note after introduction.

Under House Bill 317, which will be filed on Friday, a child resident in Delaware whose family income is low enough that they would qualify on that basis for Medicaid or CHIP coverage, but is not eligible for Medicaid or other federally funded coverage, would be eligible for coverage and medical care under a state-run program.

“Many of us take health insurance and its lifesaving benefits for granted, but for thousands of Delaware children, there is no viable option for them to get covered. A simple trip to the doctor for an illness or to get vaccinated is not a financially viable option,” said Griffith. “This leads to children not receiving the care they need when it’s necessary, which means longer-term health issues. We owe it to these children – many of whom are in this situation not by their own choice – to help them get the same standard of care so many thousands of other young Delawareans receive.

There are an estimated 5,000 children who are undocumented in Delaware. Many undocumented children have parents who earn low wages and do not benefit from employer-based health insurance. Additionally, children who are undocumented immigrants are barred from enrolling in federally funded health coverage programs Medicaid and CHIP, and can’t purchase health coverage through the state exchanges provided by the Affordable Care Act.

Eight states (California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington) and Washington, D.C. currently provide health coverage to children who are undocumented.

Delayed care and care in emergency rooms are not uncommon: one study showed that uninsured immigrant children had 6.5 times higher odds of delayed care compared with insured immigrant children.

“We providers witness heartbreaking situations. We have children with terrible dental hygiene and multiple and severe dental infections and the parents can’t afford a dentist. These children live with pain. Many of their parents can’t even afford basic things like glasses. Parents struggle to buy medication and they often can’t pay for necessary tests, like lab work.” saidDr. Marisel Santiago, Director of Pediatrics at La Red Health Center.

“Every child deserves access to health care. I think the same way we can provide school and education to every child, no matter where they come from, we should be able to provide access to medical coverage. Every child deserves the opportunity and has the right to grow up to be a healthy and productive member of our communities.”

Medicaid coverage of children, and of their mothers during pregnancy, is associated with:

The measure, if approved, would take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

HB 317 will be assigned to the House Health & Human Development Committee.