"The number of uninsured children in Washington state has reached its highest level in more than 10 years, with 45,000 children dropping off state-funded health insurance programs in the last 16 months, according to a report released yesterday.
Children's advocates, pediatricians and the Washington State PTA criticized state policies and funding decisions they consider responsible for a 5 percent drop in Medicaid enrollments -- from 583,775 children in September 2002 to 554,872 enrollees in December 2003, the period covered by the report.
But some policy-makers, citing a need to control rising health care costs in Washington and balance the state budget, defended the policies, saying the rise in uninsured children reflects the success of welfare-to-work programs and does not necessarily mean children are being deprived of health care.
The report, "Wrong Target: Policies That Hurt Our Kids and Cost Us All More," was issued by the Working for Health Coalition, a statewide group that includes the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Washington State Medical Association, nurses, teachers, public and private health organizations and labor unions. Its findings, many say, are likely to sharpen the public debate about state health care policies for the poor."
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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/170832_uninsured27.html