[...]... 2000) The health of any member can affect the whole family Yet our most important means to obtain health services— health insurance is frequently offered on an individual basis or with only partial regard to an individual’s family circumstances The mismatch between families’ functioning as a social and economic whole and the qualification for insurance coverage as individuals is at the root of many of... use a different doctor, hospital, or clinic Considering the family as the unit of analysis leads to an examination of the effects that a patchwork of programs may have on access to health services and health outcomes for family members A FAMILY MATTER 17 Third, parents or other adults in the family unit often make decisions about health care for younger members Parents’ experiences with the health care... background papers on insurance coverage patterns within families and on the interactions within families that are related to insurance coverage and family health She also conducted a major literature review of the evidence concerning health outcomes for pregnant women, infants, and children Gerry was always available for advice during preparation of this report, generous with her assistance to staff and the... these health- related outcomes This conclusion is based on both individual and population-level studies However, insurance does not guarantee appropriate use of health services and is only one of many factors affecting health, along with poverty, diet, exercise, smoking, and other behavioral factors Health insurance promotes children’s use of routine and appropriate care and facilitates a regular source... reports that coverage matters and that being uninsured is bad for one’s health Being uninsured similarly affects the health and well-being of the family We hope that Health Insurance Is a Family Matter will provide a fresh perspective on the issues and the solid analysis needed to move the discussion further along toward solutions Mary Sue Coleman, Ph.D Co-chair Arthur Kellermann, M.D., M.P.H Co-chair September... reported are generally significant at the p = 0.05 or better, unless otherwise specified 3 4 HEALTH INSURANCE IS A FAMILY MATTER • How does the presence of an uninsured family member affect the health of the rest of the family? Even if only one member of the family is uninsured, could that affect the family s finances and economic stability? • Because parents act as the health care seekers and decision makers... children about seeking care Whether and how they use the health system for themselves may affect whether their children receive needed, timely care • A family s health care and insurance needs change over time as its members grow up and mature Many common aging and family transitions, such as retiring after a lifetime of work, can affect coverage of individual members and the whole family 12 1 A Family Matter. .. on Budget and Policy Priorities Families with heads under age 65 are included as well as children under age 18 3For 2000, the FPL is $11,250 for a family of two and $14,150 for a family of three See Appendix D, Table D.1 6 HEALTH INSURANCE IS A FAMILY MATTER states without broader parental coverage (Ku and Broaddus, 2000; Dubay and Kenney, 2002) Parents’ lack of knowledge about the programs and their... eligibility criteria and a family s definition of itself affects the coverage patterns of families and, ultimately, the family s well-being The mismatch and resulting uninsurance within the family also have important implications for the public debate about expanding coverage The source of health insurance available to families directly affects whether all members are covered Employment-based plans are more... implications for family units; (3) parents make decisions about their children’s care that may be influenced by their own experiences with and attitudes toward the health system; and (4) as individuals within the family mature and age, transitions of age, work, and marital status can trigger loss of coverage for the family First and foremost, the health of one family member can influence the health and well . Health Insurance, and Access to Care in 1998, America’s Children: Health Insurance and Access to Care. That committee concluded that all children should have health insurance. Because this has. they have coverage, and can jeopardize the family s well-being and put the family unit at risk of financial disruption. Children are our nation’s future, and families are the place for raising and. one’s health. Being uninsured similarly affects the health and well-being of the family. We hope that Health Insurance Is a Family Matter will provide a fresh perspective on the issues and the