School-based outreach initiative: Part IV Supporting data

In 2006, the national uninsured rate was over 15.7%. In Oregon this meant one in six Oregonians (17%) are without health insurance representing more than 609,000 individuals of all ages, 117,725 of whom are children under the age of 19 (Office for Oregon Health Research and Policy). Children without health insurance where compared to children with access to health insurance, private or state funded. Finding showed:

1.77.2% of insured children had a least one visit to a healthcare provider in a past year verses 44.9% of uninsured children,

2.74.4% of insured children had at least one well-child check in a past year verses 40.5% of uninsured children,

3.77.5% of insured children had a least one visit to a dental hygienist in a past year verses 38.7% of uninsured children, and

4.7.2% of insured children had a least one visit to a mental health provider in a past year verses 4.6% of uninsured children.

The focus needs to change to direct in school contact with children and families, having personal contact with each and every family. Outreach and eligible specialists need to be directly in the school building meeting with families to discuss and complete Medicaid applications, while assisting families in choosing a medical home that is within easy access of their current residency.