Health Care

Summary

The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act greatly improved access to health care services for children in out-of-home care, and other children and families who are vulnerable. The most significant child welfare improvements included the expansion of Medicaid for former foster youth, protection of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the creation of the first-ever federal funding stream to provide home visitation, and the strengthening of the health care coordination requirements for youth in care. CHIP and Medicaid and services like EPSDT and home visiting are critical to ensure accessible and affordable health care for low-income and otherwise vulnerable children and families.