The moral case for covering children (and everyone else).
Before the crucial upcoming debate over reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and all of the 10,000 general health reform questions that this discussion will engender, we should consider one fundamental moral question, for our answer will reveal the kinds of policies we actually want to pursue: Who should be allowed to sit at our health care table of plenty? This essay sketches an answer to this question, drawing on the literature of various faith traditions as well as recent health services research. The short answer is: Everyone, but poor kids have a special place reserved for them.
Nichols
Len M
LM
Health Policy Program, New America Foundation, Washington, DC, USA. nichols@newamerica.net
D000385:Aid to Families with Dependent Children / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000191:economics*; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000191:economics*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000941:ethics*; D006801:Humans; D006815:Hunger; D008297:Male; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009014:Morals; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011050:Policy Making; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014481:United States