A year ago nearly 150,000 Oregon children lacked health insurance. (More than 1,000 of these children resided in communities served by the Sandy Post. Some have now become insured, but many still are not.) While such insurance is only a means to getting adequate professional health care, it is crucial in many if not most cases. Food, water, shelter and loving care in safe homes are also critical, but health care is surely among these necessities, and we can do this one! Now all Oregon children are at least entitled to health-care insurance through new eligibility rules.
Of particular concern are those children without any health insurance. Oregon’s Healthy Kids health-coverage program is designed specially for them. In most such cases, very comprehensive insurance can be provided without charge. No co-pays or deductibles, full medical, dental, vision, prescriptions and medical equipment, mental health including chemical dependency, etc. and without limitations for preexisting conditions.
For families with incomes much above normal, Healthy Kids insurance can be obtained at costs well below normal market rates. Children having existing coverage that fails to adequately protect them can in some cases also be helped by Healthy Kids staff.
Sound too good to be true? We learn from experience that things sounding too good to be true are usually not true. But this is true. Not perfect, as everyone seems to understand would be the case, but true nonetheless, and improving through continuous attention by Healthy Kids staff.
Also particularly important is the availability of Healthy Kids insurance to families who have lost employment (or have had income reduced in various ways) or are undergoing other stressful circumstances that make it difficult to afford medial care for their children. Healthy Kids can help reduce this stress by providing for children’s medical needs.