Millions of American children and youth, especially low-income and minority children, lack health insurance and access to appropriate health care services. This publication addresses several major public policy topics related to improving children's health, and is designed to serve as a resource for policymakers who want to improve access to quality health care services for children. Each of the publication's six sections covers a specific topic and highlights existing state programs to illustrate a variety of approaches to common issues. The first section focuses on the millions of American children without health insurance coverage, and the second section looks at ways to bring Medicaid services to more eligible children. Special health care needs, such as chronic illness or severe impairment, are discussed in the third section. The fourth section examines the reasons for, and ways to improve, poor immunization rates in the United States. Basic adolescent health care services and services relating to sexual activity, substance abuse, accidents, and violence are covered in the fifth section. The last section highlights three health care issues: access to care by minorities, early intervention for high-risk families, and emergency medical services for children. Sixty-seven notes, a glossary of abbreviations, and a list of organizations that can supply further information are included. An annotated bibliography cites 31 references. (TJQ)