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 were kicked off Medicaid during the unwinding process after COVID-19 protections expired.
Federal changes to Medicaid made in the budget reconciliation bill signed into law by President Donald Trump will likely lead to another spike in the number of uninsured children in Pennsylvania.
“It is important to note that the report comes at a time when the state of health care is fraught with concerns about access and affordability,” the report’s authors said. “As federal changes begin to take effect, it is expected that these deep cuts to Medicaid and (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) will negatively impact children.”