Unless we are eligible for an excellent employer-sponsored group health insurance package, health insurance can sometimes be anything but affordable. When this is the case, many of us opt not to purchase health insurance for ourselves. We rationalize not purchasing health insurance by telling ourselves there are mouths to feed, bodies to clothe, and other bills to be paid.

Denying ourselves health insurance is not wise; however, denying our kids health insurance is even worse. Kids' health needs even more attention than our health. For example, kids need immunizations to help them ward off infections and diseases and grow healthy and strong. Kids need special attention to help them learn to practice good dental care habits and nutritional ways of life. Plus, a bout of the flu, which usually means lots of rest and chicken soup for adults, could be much more serious for kids.

Do, how can we find affordable health insurance for our kids – especially if we can not seem to afford it for ourselves?

The best option is to contact our state's department of insurance. Many states in America provide at least one kind of state-sponsored health care program for individuals who can't otherwise find affordable health insurance. Even better news is that most states in America provide kid-specific state-sponsored health care programs for kids with parents who can't otherwise find affordable health insurance for them.

Health care provided by state-sponsored affordable health insurance for kids includes all or any combination of the following: regular check-ups and hospital visits, immunizations, X-rays, lab work, prescription medications, and even dental care.

There may be days when obtaining affordable health insurance for yourself seems impossible, but finding kids affordable health insurance is always possible. Just pick up the phone and call your state's department of insurance. Or, check their Web sites for more information. Find affordable health insurance for your kids; make sure they grow up safe, healthy, and happy.