To examine differences in healthcare access and affordability among rural children with public (i.e., Medicaid or CHIP) and private health insurance coverage, the study will address the following research questions, using data from the 2011-12 National Survey of Children's Health:

1. Do low-income rural families report differences in access to healthcare services for their publicly versus privately insured children?
2. What are the differences in families' perceived affordability of premiums and cost sharing for low-income children with public versus private health insurance coverage?
3. How do these patterns of access to care and affordability vary between rural and urban children with public and private coverage?

Publications

• The Role of Public Versus Private Health Insurance in Ensuring Health Care Access & Affordability for Low-Income Rural Children
  Policy Brief
  Maine Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 01/2017
  Medicaid and CHIP have played a critical role in ensuring access to health coverage among children –particularly rural children. This study examines rural-urban differences in children's access to care, and their families' perceived affordability of that care among those enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and those with private insurance plans.