Improved Health Care, Not Just More Insurance for CA’s Youth
TL/DR –
The children’s advocacy group Children Now rated California with an A-minus for providing health insurance to children but a D-plus for their overall healthcare access and accountability. Major gaps were found in immunization rates, well-infant visits, and mental health services, despite approximately 97% of kids in the state having health insurance. The organization is working with legislators to draft bills to address this issue, with a focus on young Californians from lower-income families and communities of color.
Insurers’ Failure to Cover Crucial Areas for Young Californian Age Group
Despite achieving an A-minus for providing health insurance to children, California has received a D-plus for healthcare access and accountability for individuals aged 26 and below, according to a report from children’s advocacy group, Children Now. The group highlights that having health insurance does not necessarily equate to having access to needed healthcare services.
“We should laud California’s efforts in ensuring kids are covered, seeing as it used to be that 20% of California kids had no health insurance [compared with 3% now],” stated Kelly Hardy, senior managing director of health and research for Children Now. The group advocates for legislative and state administrative solutions to challenges facing the 13.7 million Californians aged 0 to 26.
Children Now’s 2024 California Children’s Report Card grades the state on 33 youth-relevant issues. The result? The state received a C-minus or below in almost half of the issues and scored better than a C in only one of nine health-related topics.
Increased Insurance Coverage Yet Insufficient Healthcare Access
Despite significant progress in insurance coverage for young Californians in recent years, findings from Children Now highlight a gap in actual healthcare access. In 2021, over half the state’s managed care plans fell below minimum performance levels for immunization rates, well-infant visits, and well-child visits.
“Accountability lies ultimately with the state of California,” said Lishaun Francis from Children Now. “The state has an obligation to ensure young people receive the care they were promised under their health insurance coverage. This isn’t happening with Medi-Cal, and it’s not happening with commercial insurance.”
State Falls Short in Mental Health Services
Healthcare companies in California are also struggling to provide adequate mental health services for the state’s youth. From 2016 to 2020, the percentage of children aged 3 to 17 diagnosed with anxiety or depression in California shot up by 70%, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
The state received a D-plus grade for supporting mental health from Children Now. The advocacy group sponsored a bill in 2023 to automatically appeal to the state level anytime a person 26 or younger was denied mental health care services. This bill, however, faced strong opposition from the healthcare industry and was ultimately shelved.
Education Funding Hangs in the Balance
Children Now also aims to maintain education funding. Currently, California spends 3% of its economic output on K-12 education, a fact that lies below the national average. With a projected $68 billion budget deficit, the state’s ability to increase spending is questionable.
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