- Studies show that lack of health coverage for children and teens leads to poorer health in childhood, greater rates of avoidable hospitalizations, higher childhood mortality, delay in care and prescriptions that go unfilled.
Receive needed shots that prevent disease;
Get treatment for recurring illnesses such as ear infections and asthma;
Get preventive care to keep them well;
Get sick less often; and
Get the treatment they need when they are sick.
- Compared to insured children, uninsured children are more likely to have gone without needed medical, dental or other health care and are less likely to have seen a physician during the previous year than children with health insurance.
- Better health in childhood has been linked in adulthood to higher incomes, higher wealth, more weeks worked, and a higher growth rate in income. Siblings who were healthy as children earn as much as 24% more in adulthood than their unhealthy siblings.
- All Kids enrollees are linked with a medical home of their choosing through Illinois Health Connect, which saved Illinois an estimated $100 million during the 2008 fiscal year. Having a usual source of care (medical home), such as a pediatrician or family practice doctor, has been associated with earlier diagnosis, fewer hospitalizations, lower costs, and increased patient satisfaction.
