Three Things Students and Trainees Should Learn About Public Health Insurance for Children

Despite the inclusion of health equity and public health in undergraduate and graduate medical curricula, many medical students and trainees have minimal understanding of health insurance coverage for children of families with low incomes. Since children's eligibility for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) significantly influence their care, this article proposes that students and trainees, especially in pediatrics, should receive formal instruction about Medicaid and CHIP in 3 key areas: program structure; eligibility determinations, redeterminations, and range of covered or partially covered services; and enrollment requirements and processes. This article also suggests the nature and scope of expertise required to responsibly offer such instruction in classroom- and clinic-based settings.