Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this research is to explore the characteristic of children, ages 0-11 who are enrolled in the publicly funded health care insurance, Healthy Families, in relation to their utilization of the emergency department of hospitals for health care needs in California. Theoretical framework. This study was completed using the conceptual framework of Anderson and Newman (1973) Societal and Individual Determinants of Medical Care Utilization in the United States. Methodology. The study is based on descriptive research and a correlation analysis methodology. Secondary data provides the major basis of this research. The data is from the California Health Interview Surveys of 2001, 2003 and 2005. Findings. It is assumed that the use of the emergency department of the hospital is affected not only by the acquisition or by non-acquisition of health insurance, but also by age, gender, ethnicity, and educational level of the parent, English proficiency and the socioeconomic status and well as citizenship status. The study found there was no relationship between the utilization of the emergency department of the hospital by children with Healthy Families insurance in regards to their age, gender and ethnicity. A positive relationship was found between utilization of the emergency department of the hospital by children with Healthy Families or children without health care insurance in regards to the educational level of the parent, the English proficiency of the parent and the socio-economic status of the parent. A positive relationship was also found between the citizenship of the child and the parent and the use the use of the emergency department of the hospital. Recommendations. Further research is recommended to build on the findings of this study regarding the utilization of the emergency room of the hospital by child with or without health care insurance.