When you put them together, costs for physician visits, prescriptions, diagnostic tests, and sometimes hospital visits for an asthmatic child can add up. Today, both private and public health insurance can help to cushion those costs, but premiums, co-payments, and deductibles can still mean considerable expense. In addition, many children are falling through the cracks and not receiving coverage for their asthma — even though they might be eligible for public insurance. Health care coverage is an issue that will continue to drive the debate of how asthma can be best managed among all children.