Health care coverage and access for children in an urban state: The New York perspective

Conclusion New York and the nation stand at the brink of an unprecedented opportunity to improve health care coverage and access for children. New York can continue to be a national leader in ensuring access to coverage and care for low-income children by combining eligibility expansions with effective outreach and enrollment efforts. Between half and three-quarters of a million children could benefit if these activities are successful. As monumental an accomplishment as that would be, however, three-quarters of the state's total uninsured population would remain without coverage. Successful advocacy for low-income children should serve as models for additional efforts to provide health care coverage to their parents and to other uninsured adults in the state. During a strong state economy and renewed interest in health care issues, the time is now to seize this momentum and fulfill New York's historic commitment to health care for all its citizens.