So who should we believe on health care reform?  Take a look at how it may be helping kids.

KCBS’ Matt Bigler Reports

Dozens of doctors and other health experts gathered at Stanford University Thursday to talk about how the health care reform bill affects children. The conference was sponsored by Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. Lisa Wise, whose son has been treated at the hospital since he was born, says parents of kids with chronic illnesses often struggle with health insurance.

”That’s going to hit you over the head with a 2×4, because what you’re going to have to constantly do is learn how to navigate and negotiate your way through a maze that is complicated, difficult and never guaranteed, so you’re always concerned that you’ll lose that coverage,” said Wise.

But she says the recently passed health care bill that prevents insurance companies from dropping children with preexisting conditions, is a big step in the right direction.

”It was a really major accomplishment that needed to happen, and I’m glad it happened,” said Dr. Irwin Redlener co-founder of the Children’s Health Fund.

He worries the bill could lead to a shortage of physicians.

”We’re going to have a lot of work to do to make sure that we have enough doctors to provide the care that’s now going to be covered by the insurance,” said Redlener.