Health Care Coverage and Access Among Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults, 2010-2016: Implications for Future Health Reforms

Spencer, DL, McManus, M, Call, KT, Turner, J, Harwood, C., White P, & Alarcon, G. (2018). "Health Care Coverage and Access Among children, Adolescents, and Young Adults, 2010-2016: Implications for Future Health Reforms." Journal of Adolescent Health. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.12.012 

This article examines changes to health insurance coverage and access to health care among children, adolescents, and young adults since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act using data from the National Health Interview Survey. The authors found significant improvements in coverage among children, adolescents, and young adults since 2010, along with some gains in access. There were few age-group differences in overall coverage and access trends, but the analysis did find an age-gradient pattern, such that coverage and access rates were incrementally worse for young adolescents, older adolescents, and young adults.