Harrisburg, PA (November 20, 2025) — Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children today released its annual 2025 State of Children’s Health Insurance in Pennsylvania report, revealing that more than 153,000 children in Pennsylvania lack health insurance, the highest number in 10 years. This alarming trend comes as historic federal policy changes threaten to further erode families’ access to health care coverage.
“Every child deserves access to quality health care, yet Pennsylvania is moving in the wrong direction,” said Kari King, President and CEO of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. “The combination of rising uninsured rates and deep federal cuts puts Pennsylvania children at risk.”
Key Findings
- Uninsured children at a 10-year high:
Pennsylvania’s uninsured child count rose to 153,000 in 2024, reversing years of progress.
- Federal policy impact (H.R. 1):
Congress passed legislation that will cut $990 billion from Medicaid over 10 years, while adding new work requirements and higher out-of-pocket costs. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services estimates 310,000 Pennsylvanians could lose coverage under these changes.
- Disparities persist:
- Hispanic children: uninsured rate jumped to 7.3%, the highest in five years.
- This number will likely increase in the coming years due to the chilling effect of increased immigration enforcement by the federal government.
- Children of Some Other Race also remain disproportionately uninsured (9%).
- Hispanic children and children of Some Other Race are disproportionately uninsured, or the uninsured rate is higher than the group’s population size.
- Hispanic children: uninsured rate jumped to 7.3%, the highest in five years.
- Income-based gaps:
- Approximately 8.1% of children eligible for Medicaid are uninsured, with more than 49,000 kids who should have coverage.
- Geographic hotspots:
- Seven counties account for 45% of uninsured children: Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh and Philadelphia.
Nearly 47% of Pennsylvania children rely on Medicaid, CHIP or Pennie™ for health insurance. However, the looming expiration of premium tax credits and rising marketplace costs could push even more families out of coverage.
In Pennsylvania, 40% of children have experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE), and 17% have experienced two or more. Health insurance is crucial for these children, providing access to preventive care, treatment, and stability that improves physical health, emotional well-being, and school performance.
Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children urges policymakers to:
- Protect and strengthen Medicaid, CHIP and Pennie™.
- Extend premium tax credits to keep coverage affordable.
- Simplify enrollment and maintain continuous eligibility to reduce coverage gaps.
“Families need stability, not uncertainty,” said King. “We must act now to ensure every child in Pennsylvania has the health insurance coverage they need to thrive.”
See the Counties by Numbers profiles for county-specific health insurance data.
About Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children
Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children is a strong, effective, and trusted voice to improve the health, education, and well-being of children and youth in the commonwealth. Since 1992, its public policy victories have helped countless children learn, thrive, and succeed, regardless of circumstances. PPC is statewide, independent, non-partisan, and non-profit. Learn more at www.papartnerships.org.