Health Care for 7 in 10 CA Children Funded by Medicaid or CHIP

April 6, 2017

Proposed cuts and changes to public health insurance programs would have a disproportionate effect on California kids compared with kids in the nation as a whole. During fiscal year 2016, more than 7 in 10 California children used federal funds from Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for health care coverage, according to the latest data now available on Kidsdata. Nationwide, fewer than 6 in 10 children used Medicaid or CHIP funds during the same time period. In California, both sources of funding support the Medi-Cal program.

Loss of Medicaid or reductions in benefits could lead to higher insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs for low-income families, increased numbers of uninsured or underinsured children, more emergency room visits and hospitalizations, increased school absences and resultant lower academic achievement, and, invariably, lost lives.

Decisions in Washington, DC impact California children. Policy options that could improve children's health care include supporting efforts to ensure continuous, comprehensive insurance coverage for all children and reinforcing the capacity and financial viability of safety-net providers. On March 24, legislative leaders decided to discontinue advancing the American Health Care Act, a replacement for the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare), but changes to health care and other social services remain a probability. Voice your opinion and contact your U.S. Representatives and Senators to #KeepKidsCovered.

Related Data

Medicaid (Medi-Cal) or CHIP Coverage

Medi-Cal Point-in-Time Enrollment

Delayed or No Medical Care

Visited the Emergency Room in Last Year

Uninsured at Any Point in Last Year

Health Insurance Coverage

Insurance Coverage for Children with Special Health Care Needs