More than 64% of Arkansas’s children have gained or maintained access to cost-effective preventive care services as a result of the Affordable Care Act, according to a new fact sheet released by Georgetown University’s Center for Children. Nationwide, about half of all children have gained or maintained access to preventive care because of the Affordable Care Act, according to the Georgetown University research institute. Arkansas ranks fourth in nation for the number of children who receive this benefit through private plans or Medicaid/ARKids First.

“Preventive care keeps children healthier and more likely to avoid expensive trips to the ER for treatable conditions such as asthma,” said Georgetown University Center for Children and Families Co-Director Joan Alker. “The Affordable Care Act is already helping millions of children and their families through better access to cost-effective preventive health care coverage.”

Pediatrician-recommended check-ups, immunizations, screenings, developmental assessments, and other preventive services can improve health outcomes by addressing problems before they progress into more complex diseases or create other complications. For many years, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – ARKids First here in Arkansas – have recognized the importance of preventive care, helping millions of children access preventive care with little or no cost to families. The Affordable Care Act, signed into law two years ago, expands on the success of Medicaid and CHIP by removing cost and coverage barriers that could deter families from taking full advantage of preventive care services in private insurance plans, according to the Georgetown University research institute.

“ARKids First has a long history of helping Arkansas children get the preventive care they need to grow and thrive,” said Anna Strong, director of health care policy at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. “The Affordable Care Act builds upon that success by encouraging the use of cost-effective preventive care for children covered by private health insurance plans. As a result, 64.3% percent of Arkansas children now have access to free preventive care. ”

The fact sheet includes children covered by private health care plans, Medicaid and CHIP.