Mothers Off Welfare Lack Health Coverage: Study

A study of mothers leaving welfare found that one-third of those who took jobs weren’t covered by health insurance.

The number lacking health insurance was even higher among women who left welfare but didn’t work, even though many of them should be eligible for Medicaid. Nearly half of these unemployed women didn’t have insurance a year or more after leaving welfare, according to the study to be published Monday in the journal Health Affairs.

Children previously receiving welfare fared better when it comes to keeping insurance, the study showed.

Forty-seven percent were covered by Medicaid and 29% were covered by private insurance after one year. But 29% were uninsured.

The numbers add up to more than 100% because some children had multiple sources of health insurance coverage.

Families that leave welfare can still keep Medicaid if they meet certain income or medical needs.