Article Summary –
A new report from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia PolicyLab highlights the need for policymakers to enhance economic security for children and families through investments in areas such as health care, education, housing, and financial support. The report emphasizes that economic hardship peaks during pregnancy and infancy, with nearly half of U.S. children experiencing poverty before kindergarten and the need for maintaining and expanding programs like Medicaid, which provides comprehensive health coverage to over 70 million low-income Americans. The study advocates for a combination of policy interventions across ten domains, including Medicaid, nutrition support, tax credits, and paid leave, to effectively strengthen economic security and improve long-term child well-being.
A recent report appeals to policymakers to bolster economic security for children and families via health care, education, housing, and financial support investments.
The PolicyLab from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reveals economic struggles peak during pregnancy and infancy. Almost half of U.S. children encounter poverty before kindergarten, with three in five in families struggling financially.
Rebecka Rosenquist, PolicyLab’s deputy director of policy and strategy, highlighted that the objective is to show lawmakers how early family investments can transform a child’s life path.
“We explored 10 policy domains, analyzing research on their impact during pregnancy and early childhood,” Rosenquist noted.
The initiative, led by Maternity Care Coalition alongside PolicyLab, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, and Children First, capitalizes on diverse expertise. At PolicyLab, research follows an evidence-to-impact model within the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute.
Rosenquist pointed out domains like Medicaid, nutrition support, tax credits, paid leave, and diaper aid. The study observed significant short- and long-term child health impacts, advocating for further research and showing these programs are more effective when combined. Pennsylvania already implements several vital programs that need safeguarding.
“Medicaid delivers significant long-term outcomes,” Rosenquist emphasized. “It’s crucial to maintain focus on Medicaid for economic security and health care accessibility.”
The report indicates Medicaid offers health coverage to over 70 million low-income Americans, covering approximately four in ten children. The suggested policy expansions could enhance economic security for families, addressing affordability concerns.
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