Pennsylvania ranked 18th overall in child well-being, according to the 2026 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation but advocates said federal cuts, which have not fully taken effect, could threaten recent gains.
Kari King, president and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said the state’s improvements are driven largely by gains in health and insurance coverage. Still, about 153,000 children in Pennsylvania remain uninsured, an increase from previous years. King added federal policy changes, including those in House Resolution 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” could threaten access to Medicaid and other programs that help keep children healthy.
“For Pennsylvania’s children, about 38% receive their insurance through Medicaid, and as the impacts of H.R. 1 are going to be implemented at the state level, we’ll unfortunately see those uninsured rates continue to rise,” King explained.