ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the question of how we might improve access to health care for pregnant women and young children. Although a number of factors influence access to health services for women and children, its focus is on financial barriers to care. The chapter begins with a brief description of the health insurance status of women of childbearing age (15 to 44 years) and of children (under six years) and a discussion of the breadth and depth of public and private health insurance. It has become increasingly difficult for uninsured women and children with limited resources to obtain needed services. Even with enhancements to the Medicaid program and other incremental reforms, many women and young children from low- and moderate-income families will continue to face financial barriers to obtaining needed services. The growing size of the uninsured population combined with continual increases in the costs of health care have intensified interest in major reform of the health care system.
