Age: 12
Enrolled in: Child Health Plus
Final premium: $60

Twelve-year-old Saratoga county resident, Sam, has severe asthma, which requires many health services. His mother and father both work, but their companies’ health insurance only covered dependents at a great cost, $10,000 a year, in addition to high out-of-pocket payments. This was a huge burden on the family, but they made do. Elizabeth, Sam’s mother, especially understands the importance of having insurance because she is a respiratory therapist, “As a health professional I know how important health coverage is in getting the health care you need – especially for kids.  Every day I see kids and adults who don’t get the health care they need. Their conditions get more serious. This is a difficult thing to see, especially when kids don’t have insurance and don’t get good care.”

When Sam’s father was laid off, the only silver lining was that Sam was now eligible for Child Health Plus (CHP), New York State’s version of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHP premiums are based on income, so now Sam’s parents only pay $60 a month for health insurance that is even better than their old plan. CHP covers all preventive care as well as many specialized services specific to children’s needs, such as occupational and speech therapies. Elizabeth is so pleased that CHP is available to families like hers, who work at companies that don’t offer affordable dependent coverage. CHP made treating Sam’s asthma affordable. Elizabeth says, “I want kids to have the quality of care they are entitled to. People shouldn’t have to choose between having food, clothing, and health care.”

“I want kids to have the quality of care they are entitled to. People shouldn’t have to choose between having food, clothing, and health care.”

Special thanks to the Public Policy and Education Fund for contributing this story!