American Academy of Pediatrics Technical Report Describes Role and Value of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs

The American Academy of Pediatrics has published a technical report, “Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program,” that explains how Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide the cornerstone of health care for children in the United States. The report, published in the March 2026 Pediatrics (published online Feb. 23), observes that as many as 42.2 million children — or 58% of U.S. children under age 18 — have relied on Medicaid and CHIP for health care insurance. Children from racial and ethnic minority groups, children living in poverty, and children with disabilities are disproportionately covered by Medicaid and CHIP. The AAP describes how these programs have changed over time and ongoing challenges with enrollment, eligibility, funding, benefits, payments, quality assurance, and reporting. The technical report, which builds off a 2023 AAP policy statement, cites data that shows how Medicaid coverage has improved timely access to care, reduced emergency department visits and preventable hospital stays, and lowered infant and child deaths and illnesses. When children are covered by federal insurance programs, they are more likely to be healthy and productive as adults, which benefits society as a whole. The statement references studies showing that children with public health insurance had fewer preventable diseases, lower teen pregnancy rates, were more likely to graduate high school and college, and achieve higher future earnings. Over time, Medicaid and CHIP have expanded the populations covered and the benefits offered. Differences between states — such as who qualifies, how people are enrolled, what benefits are included, and how care is managed and paid for — have introduced inequities in timely access to quality care for children. In its 2023 statement, the AAP highlights ways to advocate at both state and federal levels to improve these programs and reduce inequities.

##

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.