States Take Action To Boost Child-Only Insurance Policies

Twenty-two states -- including California -- and the District of Columbia have taken action to promote the availability of child-only health insurance policies, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund. Many insurers previously said they were concerned that their costs would substantially increase under an Affordable Care Act provision intended to expand health coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. According to children's health advocates, states' efforts to promote the child-only policies have encouraged insurers to re-enter the child-only market, and in some cases new insurers have begun selling the policies.

• "As Many Insurers Drop Child-Only Policies, States Try To Intervene" (Andrews, Kaiser Health News/Washington Post, 10/22).