The PolicyLab at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia participated in the first comprehensive analysis to investigate the Affordable Care Act’s Essential Health Benefit (EHB) as it relates to children.

The study found that the EHB has resulted in a state-by-state patchwork of coverage for children and adolescents — with significant exclusions — particularly for children with developmental disabilities and other special healthcare needs.

The study was led by researchers at George Washington University, joined by researchers at CHOP’s PolicyLab, Children’s National Health System in Washington, DC, and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.