The smallest and weakest

AMONG all the inequities in America, one of the worst—and most costly—is in health care for children. Although some American children get the best health care in the world, roughly 10m are without any health insurance at all. They therefore often receive only the most rudimentary care, if that, unless (or until) they become seriously ill or disabled, at which point they may become eligible for public assistance. Although this has been the case for some time, reform has only just become politically popular. Bills to help are now being introduced in Congress left, right and centre.