Research & Reports Archive

The research below is organized by chronologically, with the most recent reports appearing first.

The Effects of the Recession on Child Poverty
January 7, 2010

According to this new report, which seeks to better understand how the recession is impacting children and families, roughly 3.4 million more children were receiving nutrition assistance benefits in August 2009, as compared to a year earlier.

Children in Health Reform:
Comparing CHIP to the Exchange Plans
December 8, 2009

This white paper analyzes the differences between the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the "health insurance exchanges" proposed in health reform legislation, and concludes that CHIP is a far superior option for children.

Kids' Share:
An Analysis of Federal Expenditures on Children through 2008
December 9, 2009

The third annual version of Kids' Share examines federal spending trends and federal tax policies that support and impact children and families.

Covering Children & their Parents: The Massachusetts Model & implications for National Health Reform
December 7, 2009

This issue brief analyzes the health reform effort in Massachusetts, and how it used existing coverage systems such as Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), to reach an unprecedented 98.8% rate of insurance for children.

Insuring our Future: Addressing the Needs of Children in Health Care Reform
This series of research papers, authored by respected health care experts, and examine the role of children in the debate over national health reform.

Actuarial Study:
Children Currently Enrolled In CHIP Will Face Higher Costs if Moved into Exchange
October 1, 2009

Reveals that the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is significantly better for low-income families than any health reform proposal pending in Congress. The study, conducted by respected consulting firm Watson Wyatt Worldwide, finds that children currently enrolled in CHIP will face higher costs if they are moved into exchange plans.

Children's Budget 2009
September 30, 2009

The newest edition of our comprehensive guide to all federal spending on children. The book finds that for the past five years, less than one nickel out of every new, real non-defense dollar spent by the federal government has gone to children and children’s programs.

Congressional Health Reform Proposals:
How do Children Fare?
August, 2009

This side-by-side comparison breaks down how children fare in the health reform proposals put forth by the Senate HELP Committee and the House Tri-Committee.

Achieving Optimal Health and Healthcare for All Children: How We Can Eliminate Disparities in Children's Health and Healthcare

By Glenn Flores, M.D.
July 20, 2009

Finds that racial and ethnic disparities in children’s healthcare are “extensive, pervasive, and persistent.” In addition to identifying the leading children’s health disparities, the report also provides recommendations on how to eliminate them.

Health Reform & Adolescents
By Harriette Fox and Margaret McManus of the National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health
June 29, 2009

Many American adolescents are suffering from unmet physical, reproductive, and behavioral health needs due to failings of our nation's health system. This report reveals that many adolescents are uninsured and have limited options for purchasing insurance that meets their unique health needs. The report also outlines ways in which national health reform provides an important opportunity to address these challenges.

How Capping the Tax Exclusion May Disproportionately Burden Children & Families
By Elise Gould of the Economic Policy Institute
May 28, 2009

Reveals that health reform proposals taxing employer-sponsored benefits are detrimental to dependent children covered through family plans.

Turning Point: The Long Term Effects of Recession-Induced Child Poverty
By Michael Linden
May 12, 2009

Finding that children who fall into poverty durning an economic recession fare worse far into adulthood than their peers who avoided it all together.

The Impact of the Healthy Americans Act on Children's Coverage
By Harbage Consulting, LLC
May 5, 2009

Analyzes the potentially adverse effects that the Healthy American's Act (S. 391) may have on children's health coverage.

Creating Comprehensive and Stable Health Insurance Coverage for All Children
By Sarah Rosenbaum of the George Washingtion University
May 5, 2009

Highlights the important aspects of Medicaid that must be protected for children during health reform.

History of US Children's Policy
By Andrew Yarrow
May 1, 2009

A comprehensive history of federal child policy during the last century.

Children in the Omnibus
February, 2009

First Focus resources related to the status of children in the 2009 Omnibus spending legislation.

Children in the Economic Recovery Package
February, 2009

Resources related to children in the economic recovery package, including a side-by-side comparison of the child-related provisions in the House and Senate versions of the legislation.

SCHIP Side-by-Side
December 17, 2008

In partnership with the Children's Health Fund and the National Association of Community Health Centers, First Focus produced a side-by-side comparison of the House, Senate, and Joint Agreement proposals to reauthorize SCHIP. The side-by-side also provides recommendations to improve the health of our nation's children.

Addressing the Needs of Families During an Economic Crisis
December 17, 2008

Highlighting the devastating impacts of poverty and economic shifts on vulnerable families and provides evidence for the increased risk of child abuse during an economic crisis.

The Cost of Doing Nothing
December 16, 2008
Finding that the United States will suffer a future economic loss of over $1.7 trillion if the current recession drives an additional 3 million children into poverty, as has been predicted.

Impacts of Early Childhood Programs
September 8, 2008

A series of five briefs that summarize existing evidence on several early childhood interventions and their impact on children and families.

Children in Poverty
September 2, 2008

Revealing that in 2007, 13.3 million children were living in poverty.

The Federal Budget: Looking Ahead to 2009
September 2, 2008

An analysis of proposed discretionary spending on children in 2009.

Kids' Share 2008
June 24, 2008

Revealing that the share of federal domestic spending on children is continuing a downward trend, making no improvement since last year.

The Child Tax Credit: A Snapshot of Families Left Out
June 4, 2008

Illustrating the importance of lowering the income floor for the Child Tax Credit.

Addressing the Health Care Needs of Foster Care Children
June 2, 2008

Highlighting a number of critical health concerns and policies impacting children in the foster care system.

Putting Children Front and Center: Building Coherent Social Policy for America's Children
May 14, 2008

Calling for an end to the antiquated and often fragmented approach to federal policies affecting children.

The Impact of the Mortgage Crisis on Children
May 1, 2008

Revealing that 2 million of America's Children will be impacted by the foreclosure crisis.

Children's Budget 2008
April 14, 2008

A comprehensive guide to all federal spending on children. Reveals that only one penny of every new, real non-defense dollar spent by the federal government has gone to children and children’s programs.

CMS’ Medicaid Regulations: Implications for Children with Special Health Care Needs
March 14, 2008

Showing that new rules for Medicare and SCHIP, if imposed, would hurt special needs children.

A Child-Friendly Economic Stimulus

Proving that it is crucial that the welfare of America’s children be included in the economic stimulus discussion.

An Improved Child Tax Credit: Good for the Economy, Good for Kids

Reducing the income floor from of the Child Tax Credit would mean added benefits to the families and would increase spending as a result of increased resources.

First Focus/Fabrizio McLaughlin & Associates Poll Shows Repbulican Voters Want a Strong Children's Health Bill
September 24, 2007

Confirming strong support for children’s health coverage legislation among Republican voters.

Uninsured Data Shows an Alarming Trend in States
September 7, 2007

A state by state look at the insurance status of children reveals trends that are of great concern.

Family Tax Policies: What They Are and Why They Matter
August 8, 2007

There are four key tax policies that provide more money for families with children than all other federal programs combined, including educational programs, health care insurance for children, and nutritional assistance.

First Focus Report Indicates Tax Credits Would be Detrimental to Children and Families
August 2, 2007

Revealing that President Bush’s tax proposal would be severely detrimental to American children and families.

First Focus/Luntz, Maslansky Poll Indicates Overwhelming National Support for Covering All Children
July 24, 2007

A nationwide poll indicating extraordinary support for providing health coverage to all children.

Parental Health Insurance Coverage as Child Health Policy: Evidence from the Literature
June 25, 2007
Indicates the importance of parents to child health coverage.

First Focus Fellow, James Capretta, Tax Notes Article
May 25, 2008

Indicating that is necessary to provide stronger incentives for cost control, stabilized and expanded insurance coverage children and their families, and improvements in quality of care across-the-board. (Written by First Focus Fellow, James Capretta)

Kids' Share 2007
March, 2007

Revealing that the share of federal spending on children has dropped 23%.

Cost-Effective Investments in Children
January 3, 2007

Identifies four areas of investment that merit expanded federal funding even in a time of fiscal austerity. (Written by First Focus Fellow, Julia Isaacs)

Administration Policy Change Threatens Health Care Coverage for Poor Infants
December 11, 2006

Revealing that many babies are likely to go without needed health care services due to recent CMS policy changes.(Written by First Focus Fellow, Sarah deLone)

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