Eligibility and Access to Health Services

Healthcare coverage and insurance was rated by 71.0% of respondents to the UWMC Community Leaders survey as a very serious issue, making it the highest rated very serious issue. Although there are various programs to provide health coverage and resources to specific populations, such as WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), many who are eligible are not participating in these efforts. For example, the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, who administers the WIC program in Monmouth County, estimates that only 80% of those who are eligible actually enroll in the program despite its benefits. According to a recent study by Children’s Health Watch, children who are eligible for WIC but do not receive it due to access problems are more likely to be in poor health, at risk for developmental delays, food insecure, underweight and short for their age. Their research has also shown that for every $1.00 spent on WIC results in savings between $1.77 and $3.13 in health care costs in the first 60 days after an infant’s birth.