children's health insurance

In March, mom Indira Navas learned that her son Andres, 6, was kicked off of Florida Medicaid, while her daughter, Camila, 12, was still covered. The family is one of millions dealing with Medicaid red tape this year.

Florida kicked their son off Medicaid in the 'unwinding' but not their daughter

12:22pm April 18, 2024

by Phil Galewitz

Nearly 1-in-4 adults who lost Medicaid coverage in the past year are now uninsured, according to a new survey. As states winnow the rolls, many families are caught in confusing red tape.

The rate of uninsured children has risen in the last two years, after declining since 2008.

Health & Safety

Fewer Children Had Health Insurance In 2018 Than Year Before, Census Data Shows

6:30pm September 10, 2019

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

After years of decline, rates of uninsured children on on the rise. Immigrants and Hispanics saw large growth, possibly because of Trump administration policies.

Marnobia Juarez came to the U.S. from Guatemala and lives in Maryland. She dreams of getting her green card, but increasingly worries that won't happen under Trump's policy. Juarez was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and receives care through a state

Under A Trump Proposal, Lawful Immigrants Might Shun Medical Care

5:00am May 10, 2018

A proposed change in immigration policy from the Trump administration could make it harder for immigrants to obtain a green card if family members use Medicaid, WIC or other federal medical benefits.

The CHIP program provides health coverage to 9 million children from lower-income households that make too much money to qualify for Medicaid. The $2.85 billion Congress allocated in December was supposed to fund CHIP programs in all states through March

CHIP Funding Could Run Out On Jan. 19 For Some States

6:37pm January 05, 2018

by Phil Galewitz

A fiscal patch that Congress approved last month isn't big enough to keep the Children's Health Insurance Program afloat, according to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.

Nine million U.S. children get their health coverage through CHIP, a program jointly funded by federal and state governments. Several states say they can't fund the program alone past January.

Parents Worry Congress Won't Fund The Children's Health Insurance Program

1:59pm December 12, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

The federal funding of the program lapsed in September. States have been burning through leftover funds, or borrowing from other accounts, as they wait for Congress to act before the end of January.

Queue Listen Now

Alejandra Borunda, sits with her two children, Natalia, 11, and Raul, 8, holding the family dog at their home in Aurora, Colo. Borunda's children are among those who would lose out if the CHIP program isn't funded.

States Sound Warning That Kids' Health Insurance Is At Risk

8:15pm November 30, 2017

Funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program expired in September. Millions of children could lose coverage, unless Congress acts soon to restore the money to keep the program running.

Queue Listen Now

Protesters rally against Medicaid cuts in front of the U.S. Capitol in June. Medicaid is the nation's largest health insurance program, covering 74 million people — more than 1 in 5 Americans.

Meet Your Friends Who Get Medicaid

5:54pm September 23, 2017

by Phil Galewitz

Those relying on the federal government's safety net are grandmothers, the kid next door, your supermarket cashier — maybe even you.

The Children's Health Insurance Program relies on money from state and federal governments to help subsidize the cost of medical care for some kids not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid.

Will Congress Continue Health Care For 9 Million Children?

6:23pm September 06, 2017

by Phil Galewitz

The popular Children's Health Insurance Program is up for renewal Sept. 30. Policy analysts say it's unclear whether a deeply divided Congress facing major deadlines will get the job done.

Dawn Poole and her husband have to regularly document their family finances to make sure their nine children, who all have complex health conditions, continue to qualify for Medicaid.

In Texas, People With Fluctuating Incomes Risk Being Cut Off From Medicaid

5:00am June 14, 2017

by Shefali Luthra

Families with income that varies from month to month can find it hard to maintain enrollment in Texas' Medicaid program. The question is whether the program trims waste or creates more red tape.

Ben Gapinski, 10, (center) is greeted by his parents Dan and Nancy Gapinski after getting off the school bus. When Ben was a toddler, he was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder and needed constant monitoring to stay safe.

Wisconsin Family Stays Together With Help From Medicaid

5:43pm June 05, 2017

by Alison Kodjak

While Medicaid is best known as a health care program for poor people, more than 80 percent of its budget goes to care for elderly people, disabled people and children.

Queue Listen Now