Lydia Said:

What are some problems with mandatory health insurance?

We Answered:

With regards to minors - EVERY STATE has a Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which offers free or substantially reduced cost insurance FOR CHILDREN. It is much more lenient than medicaid. Most states offer this coverage FOR FREE to 'special needs' children REGARDLESS of the income of the parents - although the income of the CHILD still counts.

Most CHIP programs have no deductibles or copays. They will pick up deds or copays on a secondary basis if you have primary coverage, and a special needs child.

The BIGGEST problem with mandatory health insurance in states like CA and TX, is you have a fairly large population of US citizen kids, born to illegal parents. And THOSE parents are going to try to 'stay under the radar' by not participating.

Bertha Said:

How do I get health insurance for a child that provides coverage in both california and washington?

We Answered:

You can have more than one policy. Both parents should have an insurance policy for their child. The primary custodial parent ( the parent the child lives with most of the time), is the primary card holder, the secondary is the other parent.

Leslie Said:

What's More Important-Children Getting Healthcare Coverage OR Insurance Companies Increasing Profits?

We Answered:

Children for healthcare. The best way to reduce health care cost is to give children access to healthcare and start from an early age a healthy lifestyle. The health insurance industry is not about the patients it is about the all mighty dollar and the rest of us suffer for it

Marilyn Said:

What percent of illegal immigrant children don't have health insurance?

We Answered:

The current figure is 7.5% of all immigrants.

I'm all for the tax increase. You, like everyone else, got bombarded with information at a young age about how smoking is bad. But you wanted to be cool, so you did anyway. You should have listened to your parents and school. I'd rather have you paying for this healthcare than me. Yes!!!

Joshua Said:

question about state health insurance, california?

We Answered:

The only way your boyfriend's insurance will cover you is of you're married or if you're registered as domestic partners (and the last is iffy. You need to be in a town that recognizes them and have a company that covers them). Once the child is born, it'll cover the child. But only his wife, not his girlfriend or fiancee.

CALIFORNIA DOES NOT HAVE COMMON LAW MARRIAGE!

Medi-Cal is based on income. That CD isn't income. It's an asset, but not part of your monthly income.

Just go apply. Walk into the nearest Planned Parenthood (or other clinic) and say you think you're pregnant. They'll sign you up then and there for Presumptive Eligibility Medi-Cal, and help you with getting the rest of the paperwork in. (They may even have someone in their office who can complete the process, so you don't have to go down to Social Services.)

You can do all this at the clinic, and still go to any OB or midwife who accepts Medi-Cal.

It's easy. It's painless. It should be free, since you don't have much income. (We didn't pay a penny for my first son's pregnancy or birth.)

Oh... and once you have the "proof of pregnancy" from the clinic, go apply for WIC. Who can't use free food, right? Again, it's not about assets, it's about income. (CA's WIC program has plenty of funding -- don't feel guilty about using it!)

Congratulations & good luck! =)

Sylvia Said:

Can a step parents add a child on his health insurance?

We Answered:

Not true. Yes, you can add a stepchild to your health insurance. It's done ALL THE TIME.