By the Numbers: Medicaid Is Vital to Kids

The numbers tell the story perfectly. Medicaid ensures 37 million children have access to lifesaving care. 

That’s roughly 50% of U.S. kids.

With every other child in America relying on Medicaid for health care services, the program helps kids and families from all walks of life, backgrounds, and economic demographics. It is vital to ensure children have access to both preventive care and specialized treatments.

Here’s how the numbers break down among specific populations of children:

Kids with special health care needs

Half of the 14 million kids with special health care needs are covered by Medicaid and/or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Medicaid pays for many aspects of these 7 million children’s treatment and care, including Home and Community-Based Services. Access to home and community-based services and supports allows children with chronic or complex medical conditions to live with their families instead of in care facilities.

Some 500,000 kids with special health care needs who are covered by Medicaid also have private insurance. In these cases, Medicaid serves as a secondary payor, paying for many wrap-around services private insurance doesn't cover but children need to thrive. 

Military-connected kids

More than 3 million children in military families are eligible for or covered by Medicaid. The Department of Defense provides TRICARE to military families, but it may not meet all children’s physical and mental health needs, particularly for children with complex medical conditions. For these kids, Medicaid ensures children in military-connected families have access to the treatment and support services they need. 

 Births

Nationally, Medicaid covers 41% of all births. The percentage is higher in some states. For instance, 64% of births in Louisiana are financed by Medicaid. 

Maternity care before, during, and after pregnancy is critical for both women and babies. Ensuring pregnant women are followed by an obstetrician throughout pregnancy supports better outcomes and sets infants up for a healthy start. Medicaid provides access to the perinatal care needed for healthy pregnancies and in the weeks following delivery. 

Children in small towns and rural communities

One-fifth of Americans live in non-urban parts of the country. Specifically, these are areas with populations of less than 5,000 people. Approximately 40% of children living in rural communities and small towns are covered by Medicaid. States with the largest percentage of children in rural areas who have Medicaid include New Mexico, Louisiana, Arizona, Florida, South Carolina, and Arkansas. 

Access to Medicaid is critical for children living in non-urban communities for multiple reasons. Rural areas have a lower density of health care providers and hospitals so children and families must often travel longer distances to get routine and specialized care. Additionally, access to employer-sponsored coverage is more limited in rural areas, meaning children need a robust public option for health insurance coverage.

Protect children's access to care

Medicaid is the largest source of children’s health insurance in the United States. Learn more about how Medicaid impacts kids’ lives and how the Children’s Hospital Association is working to protect and strengthen this lifesaving program.