DELAWARE – Delaware lawmakers are pushing to increase health care access for the state’s most vulnerable children. New legislation could create a medical assistance program for Delaware children who aren’t currently covered by an insurance provider. This could be the result of children coming from a low-income family or being undocumented.
House Bill 150, also known as the Cover All Delaware Children Act, would task the Department of Health and Social Services with developing and implementing that program.
Bill Sponsor Representative Krista Griffith tells us currently children can be seen by a hospital or ER who would provide what’s called charity care. Yet, she says they don’t have access to routine and preventative care.
Representative Griffith says providing access to basic medical care can prevent more expensive costs later for issues that aren’t addressed. “I mean we’ve heard some heartbreaking stories where a child may be diagnosed with diabetes and they go home from the hospital but then they’re not able to see a follow up doctor in the community or get access to insulin,” Rep. Griffith said.
Representative Griffith adds that increasing this access could not only impact the individual but the state as a whole. “If someone is getting basic care, they’re going to do better in school. They’re going to advance more frequently up through grades. They’re going to be more engaged in society and working,” Rep. Griffith.
For a family to qualify, they would have to meet federal income poverty guidelines for either Medicaid or CHIP. Representative Griffith says the fiscal note for this bill will be released soon.
The bill now sits in the House Health & Human Development committee where it awaits consideration.