Families USA today released an important study that claims children
without health insurance are twice as likely to die from their injuries
as those who have insurance.

It is a sure bet that this study will come under heavy criticism from hospitals, and medical professionals.

J. Mick Tilford, associate professior at University of Arkansas for
Medical Sciences, said the data he studied included 25,000 uninsured
children with general injuries, and 6500 with traumatic brain injuries.

Other not-so-shocking findings,

• kids without insurance were more likely to die in 26 of 29 states reviewed
• they were 44% less likely to go into rehav
• they were 32% less likely to get intracranial pressure monitoring, an expensive and aggressive treatment
• insured kids stayed and average of 8 days in hospital, uninsured stayed for 5
• those with appendicitis were 18% less likely to get the more expensive (and clinically superior) laparoscopic appendectomy
• lack of insurance meant a 57% reduction in the use of ear tubes to treat dangerous middle ear infections

Tilford is quoted as saying… ” you look at stuff by insurance status — boy, you find differences.”

Here is the USA today story.

Here is the complete Families Today report.

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