A provision of the fedral health reform law and a new California law punish insurers that refuse to sell policies to children. As result, those younger than 19 will have access to insurance and cannot be denied coverage, regardless of healt condition.

About 576.000 kids in California with medical conditions that often lead to a denial of coverage might be affected, says Kelly Hardy, director of health policy at Children Now, an Oakland based children’s rights group.

If you live in California and are in the market for a child only health insurance plan, here’s what you need to know about signing up :

There’s a 60 day initial open enrollment period to purchase child only health plans in California and it’s happening right now.  According to the California Department of Managed Health Care, the state’s HMO watchdog agency, insurers can also impose a 20% surcharge for any child who has not had continuous health insurance coverage for 90 days prior to applying for a new plan. Parents can buy insurance for their children even outside of these open enrollment periods with a guarantee of coverage. “It’s a protection for the health plans”.

A child with asthma, for example, might cost more to insure than a second child with no medical conditions, raising costs for both. “If you buy two separate plans, you’ll save money,” Mostafaie says.

There are many equipments for babies, one of them are the prams. Prams are available in many colors and designs. One design of prams may have different requirements and functions; prams are basically available in two categories of designs, the basic design and the special design. The basic design prams are including lightweight and umbrella prams and two other models, while the special design prams are including the all-terrain prams, tandem prams and other two designs. When buying baby gyms, baby mats, prams or other equipments, please consider the things you need and the baby current condition.

Just like the adults that need to sleep or rest, babies are also need to sleep, and they need it often. That is why making sure that they sleep well is important. Choosing the right equipments from cribs to coats is important. You must also consider the designs and the material used by the equipments.

For one thing, safe labels of energy drinks, which contain stimulants such as caffeine, taurine and guarana, have not been established for children and teens, the authors said.

An 8 ounce energy drink may contain dozens or hundreds of miligrams of caffeine, compared to 100 miligrams of caffeine in a generic cup of coffee. An 8 ounce serving of Red Bull contains 77 miligrams of caffeine, compared to 28 miligrams in an equal amount of Mountain Dew, the report noted. Energy drink manufacturers often add other ingredients, such as sugar and herbal supplements, whose effects haven’t been well studied. Although energy drings contain caffeine in amounts similar to those in a few cups of coffee, Lipshultz said the drinks are consumed differently and faster.

Besides young people with ADHD and heart problems, the drinks can be hazzardous to children who suffer from diabetes, seizures and psychological problems. Currently, the FDA limits caffeine drinks to 71 mg per 12 ounce serving, but energy drinks makers get around the rule by labeling their products natural the authors noted.

]]> http://www.gidos.org/energy-drinks-may-hurt-kids/feed/ 0 http://www.gidos.org/lunch-ideas-healthy/ http://www.gidos.org/lunch-ideas-healthy/#comments Mon, 31 May 2010 15:18:00 +0000 admin http://www.gidos.org/?p=1200

lunch ideas healthy

Nearly half of today’s overweight children are obese, that number is constantly growing and we must do something. Teaching our children to eat well is a parental duty. If done correctly, the habit becomes second nature to the children and take their lunch healthy lifestyle into adulthood and the likelihood of a happy life will be much greater.

Here are 5 ways to ensure this happens :

1. More fruit – Getting children to eat fruit is sometimes like trying to draw teeth, although there are ways to make it more fun and attractive and, if necessary, some tricks to get your child a healthy diet never know. Make fruit smoothies and shakes. You can even freeze and create icepops and lollipops. Smoothies are great ways to get some vegetables in the mix that many children refuse to eat.

2. Make it fun – Your children are more likely to adopt a healthier diet, if you include games and games for meals. We will create an image on the plate, perhaps a vegetable garden or a green juice liquid called Hulk. Invent their own earnings, provided that certain ingredients are included. The pleasure is always a great way to get your child enjoy better eating habits.

3. Make it relevant to their interests – Kids Meal seen as a distraction from his playing time, because if a plate of vegetables are even more disinterested. If you convince them that unless they eat only certain foods will not be able to run fast or play sports. Spiderman or eating broccoli for him to fight evil, and have more interest. There are many different ways to create healthy children to eat.

4. Do not Take Away Candy – thats all know kids love sweets and soft drinks and all that is bad for them. If you remove all these things completely, then just do not will stay healthy and options it replaced. Instead of prizes for something to eat regularly. Perhaps a visit to his favorite fast food restaurant after each month of healthy eating.

5. Participate – Sitting at the table and eat with the family is the No. 1 proven way to teach children to eat a healthy diet. For all the same, at the same time, it becomes a routine, and seeing that getting your kids are more willing to join it also allows you to make sure they eat healthy foods instead of being a dog.

It is our responsibility to ensure that our children become as healthy as possible. Childhood obesity is increasing and must be stopped. Teaching our children to eat healthy is the best way adults to be healthy and successful. For more ideas and tips visit http://www. Squidoo. com / simplerecipesforchildren and make sure their children become the best adults they can be.