State-Specific Medicaid/CHIP Eligibility Criteria and Their Impact on Health Care Access for Foreign-born Children Living in the United States.

Introduction: Foreign-born children are subject to discrepant state policies in determining eligibility for Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of these policies on health care access.

Methods: Data from the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) were used to assess associations between health care access outcomes and three categories of state health insurance eligibility: restrictive (only U.S. citizens plus immigrants who "qualified" after five-year waiting period), semi-restrictive (same as restrictive except no waiting period), and inclusive (all children).

Results: When compared with restrictive states, foreign-born children in inclusive states were significantly more likely to have current insurance, consistent coverage, recent preventive exams, and fewer problems paying medical bills.

Discussion: Extending health care eligibility to all children, regardless of immigration status, improves health care coverage and access for foreign-born children. Expansion of eligibility criteria in all states is necessary to reduce health disparities in the immigrant population.