Most American Kids Rely On Medicaid, CHIP Insurance

Key Takeaways

The majority of U.S. kids are covered by federal health insurance at some time during their childhood.

More than 3 in 5 American children enroll in Medicaid or CHIP by age 18

Gaps in coverage are more common among kids in states that didn’t expand Medicaid

MONDAY, Sept. 29, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Most American kids rely on federal health insurance plans like Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance program at some point during their childhood, a new study says.

About 61% of U.S. children, or 3 in 5, have been covered by a federal insurance program by age 18, researchers reported Sept. 24 in the Journal of the American Medical Association .

Further, about 42%, or 2 in 5, have experienced one or more gaps in their coverage that left them without affordable health