In Michigan poor kids are covered through Medicaid – eligibility has to be established through the family, but the kids will usually qualify even if their parents don’t.  This lasts until age 21.  With fractured families, however, who cannot manage bureaucracies, the kids don’t get coverage because the parents can’t get their acts together.

Of course another problem is that many, possibly most, doctors and dentists don’t take Medicaid, because the reimbursement is so low that it does not even cover their overhead, and – I believe – taking just a few Medicaid patients is not allowed.  You either take all who apply, or none.

Canada is obviously much better.  As one writer said, Canada may not be the most exciting country in the world, but it’s one of the best, in all the things we on this list care about.

Judith Andre, Ph.D.                                          [log in to unmask]

Professor                                                          (517)355-7553

Center for Ethics                                                fax:   353-3829

C-208 E Fee Hall

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI 48824-1316 USA

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From: Feminist ethics and social theory [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lynda Lange
Sent: Saturday, November 08, 2008 4:17 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: health insurance - kids etc

As a Canadian I have followed this discussion with fascination.  Marilyn observes that kids have no other way to have health insurance than via their parents' employer.  On the contrary, if there is universal public health care, all kids (and adults) are automatically entitled to health care regardless of their caregiver situation.  I imagine many of you (and most likely Marilyn as well) share my hope that Barack Obama will be successful in his plan to create health care for all U.S. Americans.  Best, Lynda

Lynda Lange

University of Toronto at Scarborough

Department of Humanities (Philosophy)

1265 Military Trail

Toronto, ON

CANADA M1N 3B5