KFF Health News’ coverage of children’s health care issues is supported in part by the Heising-Simons Foundation. Stories related to these topics are featured below. Click here for more on KFF Health News and its funders.

Parents Are Leery Of Schools Requiring ‘Mental Health’ Disclosures By Students

Florida school districts now have to ask if a new student has ever been referred for mental health services. It’s a legislative attempt to help troubled kids. Will it work, or increase stigma instead?

The High Cost Of Hope: When The Parallel Interests Of Pharma And Families Collide

Desperate for help in finding a lifesaving drug for a fatal genetic disease, families banded together to fund early research and then worked with drug companies on clinical trials and marketing. Yet, this small patient advocacy group is stunned by pharma’s pricing.

The Pluses And Minuses Of Allowing Medical Marijuana At School

As more parents turn to medical marijuana to treat their sick children, a handful of states have changed the rules to allow them to administer the drug on campus. California is considering it — at the possible risk of losing federal funding.

Pediatricians Put It Bluntly: Motherhood And Marijuana Don’t Mix

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use marijuana because of serious concerns about neurological consequences for children, the American Academy of Pediatrics said on Monday.

Medicaid Covers Foster Kids, But Daunting Health Needs Still Slip Through The Cracks

Nearly all children in the foster care system are covered by Medicaid. Yet, foster parents still struggle to meet the extraordinary health needs of their children. To solve this, some states are experimenting with a coordinated approach to care — with mixed results.

Father’s And Son’s Injuries Lead To The Mother Of All Therapy Bills

A father and son suffered serious hand injuries nine days apart. They both needed surgery and lots of follow-up occupational therapy to rehab their hands. But insurance paid for just a fraction of those OT bills, and the family owed more than $8,500.