As the cost of employer-paid family insurance continues to rise, it is increasingly important to ensure that children have access to high-quality, affordable health care.
Analysts at WalletHub report that the majority of children, about 95%, have health insurance in case they get sick.
However, despite the high coverage rate, it has not led to a reduction in parents' medical costs. On average, workers pay more than $6,500 each year for employer-provided family insurance.
Analysts say Medicaid and CHIP have provided some relief to families, but those who don't qualify for government aid will still have a hard time, especially under inflation. Access to healthy food and fluoridated water, as well as the quality of the health care system, are important factors in determining overall health status.
In recognition of “Every Kid Healthy Week,” WalletHub recently released a report on the best and worst states for child health care in 2024. The report analyzed 50 states and the District of Columbia across 33 key metrics to determine which states provide the most cost-effective health care. and provide the highest quality medical care to children.
Unfortunately, the data ranks Texas 49th overall, showing that the state's pediatric health care system is in need of improvement.
While there are some positive indicators, such as Texas ranking 27th in pediatricians and family physicians per capita, there are also some alarming statistics.
For example, Texas ranks last (51st) in both the percentage of children who are uninsured and the percentage of children who cannot afford health care.
Texas also ranks low in the percentage of children in good or excellent health, at 49th place. Additionally, the state ranks 23rd in infant mortality rate, 21st in percentage of overweight children, 48th in percentage of obese children, 49th in percentage of children with excellent or very good teeth, and 19 It ranks 22nd in percentage of children. Up to 35 months of age with all recommended vaccines.
After Texas, the two states with the worst pediatric medical records are Mississippi and Wyoming.
“The quality of a child's health care should be one of the most important considerations when parents decide where to live,” said Cassandra Happe, an analyst at WalletHub.
“By having access to quality pediatric and dental care, nutritious meals, and recreational spaces from an early age, children are likely to grow up healthy and develop good habits that will last into adulthood. will be much higher.”
While these rankings may be alarming, it is important to remember that there are steps that can be taken to improve health care for children in Texas and across the nation.
The full report, methodology, and expert comments are available on WalletHub's site.
