The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a new report explaining why Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are so important for children's health care in the United States. The AAP report, "Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program," is published in the March 2026 Pediatrics.
Today, about 42.2 million children—more than half of all kids in the country—have gotten health insurance through Medicaid or CHIP. Many of these children come from families with low incomes, are part of racial or ethnic minority groups, or have disabilities. These programs help make sure they can see doctors, get medicine, and receive the care they need to grow and stay healthy.
The AAP report also describes how Medicaid and CHIP have changed over the years. It also outlines challenges families still face, like confusing enrollment rules, funding limits, and differences in what services states offer.
How Medicaid and CHIP coverage can affect a child's health and future
Research highlighted in the report shows that when children have Medicaid or CHIP, they are more likely to:
Get medical care when they need it
Avoid unnecessary emergency room visits
Stay out of the hospital for preventable problems
Have lower risks of serious illness or death in childhood
Children with Medicaid or CHIP are also more likely to grow into healthier adults. Studies show they are less likely to develop preventable diseases, more likely to finish high school and college, and more likely to earn higher wages later in life. Medicaid and CHIP are not only essential for children today, but they are a critical part of our national strategy to produce a healthy and productive future adult workforce.
States' roles in Medicaid and CHIP coverage
Over time, Medicaid and CHIP have covered more children and added more benefits. But each state still runs its own program, which means kids' access to care can depend on where they live. Some states make it easier to enroll or offer more services than others, which creates unfair differences for children across the country.
The AAP encourages families and communities to speak up at both the state and federal levels to make these programs stronger and more fair for all kids.
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