People, please do not abuse your children
- Posted by e2 on 03.14.09
- Tags Family Changes, Modern Family
As unemployment increases and the number of low-income people rises, the number of persons eligible for Medicaid benefits will increase. Most people obtain health insurance through their employer and higher rates of unemployment will reduce the number of insured Virginians, including children.
A report by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that a 1 percent increase in the unemployment rate nationwide would result in 1 million new Medicaid enrollees and a 1.1 million increase in the uninsured population. Enrollment in Medicaid and Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS), increased by 4.8 percent between December 2007 and December 2008. Enrollment in FAMIS has risen even faster, increasing by 11.4 percent between 2007 and 2008. It is likely that this downturn will increase the number of uninsured people including children, increase the numbers eligible for Medicaid and FAMIS, and place new demands on both programs.
Reductions in either program will exacerbate the downturn’s effects on struggling families and children and increase even further the number pushed into poverty. Reductions will also mean thousands of additional children without access to adequate health care during the recession and beyond, compromising their health status and future potential.
There is a well-documented relationship between parent unemployment and child abuse — as unemployment worsens, the incidence of abuse rises. While not part of the safety net for families experiencing financial hardship, child protective services departments nevertheless may see considerable recession-related increases in child abuse. These programs will need to maintain staffing levels adequate to intervene as necessary to protect children. At the same time, there will be a heightened need for prevention programs (e.g. home visiting programs) that can provide supports to at-risk families.
