New Report: The Impact of Medicaid Cuts on Children

A new report from Manatt Health, funded by the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, warns that federal Medicaid cuts could lead to major coverage losses and reduced access to care for children—particularly those with special health care needs. The analysis estimates that hundreds of thousands of children may lose coverage if Congress moves forward with certain financing changes, work requirements, or caps on federal funding.

Medicaid Covers:

• 42% of all children nationwide
• 77% of children living in poverty in the U.S.
• 44% of children and youth with special health care needs nationwide
• 41% of births in the U.S.
• 37% of U.S. children with cancer
• 99% of children and youth in foster care

The report underscores that children’s coverage cannot be insulated from cuts that affect parents and broader Medicaid systems.