Shapiro wants to move ahead with pilot Medicaid program after Trump declines to ax federal funds

Gov. Josh Shapiro is again asking the legislature to fund a trial run of extra Medicaid benefits, saying that the Trump administration will honor a Biden-era approval despite Republicans’ desire to clamp down on Medicaid spending. The pilot program would fund medication for those leaving prison, housing assistance for the homeless, and specialized meal delivery […]

Education advocates: PA budget addresses child care staffing crisis

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s latest state budget proposal lays out a sweeping economic plan, and education advocates say it maintains a strong focus on fixing Pennsylvania’s child-care staffing crisis. Kari King , president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children, said her group and the Early Learning Pennsylvania coalition are encouraged by the proposal, which includes a $10 million increase […]

Proposed State Budget Strengthens Support for Pennsylvania’s Early Learning Workforce

HARRISBURG, PA (February 3, 2026) – Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, expressed appreciation for the Shapiro Administration’s 2026-27 state budget proposal and its continued focus on children and early education workforce investments, while also highlighting the […]

Number of uninsured children in Pennsylvania surges to highest number in a decade

More than 153,000 children in Pennsylvania are uninsured — the highest number in a decade — as rising costs, policy changes, and expiring federal supports make it harder for families to keep coverage. That’s about 5% of children in the commonwealth. “We’re moving into a time period where we’re just going to see the connection […]

Uninsured children in Pennsylvania reach decade high

More than 153,000 children in the state lacked health insurance in 2024, up from 147,000 in 2023, according to the State of Children’s Health Insurance, released Tuesday by the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. Advocates warn that the trend is only going to get worse.  The 2024 increase reflected the bump in uninsured children as families […]

State of the Child

 

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