GOVERNING, May 27, 2014
By J.B. Wogan

… “Since the coverage afforded under ACA is still relatively new, we have yet to hear about how former foster youth are using it,” says Shadi Houshyar, vice president of child welfare policy at First Focus, a national children’s advocacy group. Because of the documented health needs of former foster youth, though, Houshyar says Medicaid may mean better access to dental care, prescription medications for mental illness, and services related to substance abuse, such as counseling and treatment. And supporters of the foster care provision argue that extending health care to these young adults actually helps the community at large by keeping these individuals out of crises that might lead to hospitalizations and emergency room visits. …

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