DURHAM, N.H. – More than 95 percent of all U.S. children were covered by some form of health insurance in 2015, the most since data started being collected in 2008, according to new research out of the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire. Rates of coverage increased throughout the U.S. but the greatest growth occurred in the South and West.

According to the researcher, growth in public insurance – Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – were a major driver of increases in children’s coverage. Over 375,000 more children were covered in 2015 than in the previous year. In addition, about 150,000 more children were covered by private insurance than in the previous year.

“Policy and advocacy efforts to insure children have been effective,” said Michael Staley, research assistant at the Carsey School and a doctoral candidate in sociology. “When considering health care legislation, lawmakers may want to look at the potential impact of reduced coverage on children’s health and well-being and the ensuring economic and social costs.”

View the full report here: https://carsey.unh.edu/publication/child-health-insur-2015.

The Carsey School of Public Policy conducts research, leadership development, and engaged scholarship relevant to public policy. They address pressing challenges, striving for innovative, responsive, and equitable solutions at all levels of government and in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.