Thousands of uninsured Collier students turn to school nurses, experts say

By TRACY X. MIGUEL (Contact)
Originally published 7:33 p.m., Monday, January 19, 2009
Updated 7:33 p.m., Monday, January 19, 2009

NAPLES — Beyond bandages and fevers, Collier County students often rely on their school nurses for health-care because they don’t have medical insurance.

Despite improvements to children’s health-care in recent years, there still is a need for parents to become aware of health-care programs available for their children and enroll them.

The League of Women Voters of Collier County hosted a panel discussion Monday with four local experts talking about children’s health-care in Collier County. The event came during its general meeting Monday at the Collier Athletic Club.

Those attending were told that an estimated 17 percent, or 4,200 of Collier County public school students, are without health insurance.

Often, the school nurse and hospital emergency rooms are the first medical provider for children who don’t have a pediatrician or medical professional, said Elaine Wade, a registered nurse with the NCH Healthcare System and director of Collier County’s School Nurse Program.

“Children must be healthy to learn and must learn to be healthy,â€