Report: Texas Has Worst Uninsured Rate for Kids Under Age 6 — And It’s Getting Worse
A new report shows that in 2024 Texas had the nation’s highest rate of children under six going without health insurance — creating barriers to medical care, check-ups, screenings for developmental delays, and other support during a critical age for children’s health and development. The report by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families (CCF), which draws on US Census Bureau data, also shows that the rate worsened in Texas and nationwide from 2022 to 2024 as states implemented the “unwinding” of pandemic-era Medicaid rules.
The report found that 10.8% of Texas kids from birth to five years old were uninsured that year — twice the national rate of 5.3%. After Texas, the next highest states were North Dakota (9.8%), Arizona (9.0%), Wyoming (8.5%), and Idaho (7.9%).
The Texas uninsured rate for this age group (10.8%) is considerably worse than the rate in neighboring states such as Louisiana (3.9%), New Mexico (5.7%), and Oklahoma (7.5%). The difference between Texas and nearby states underscores that the state’s uninsured rate for kids is largely a product of state policy decisions rather than geography or other factors.
The report also shows that the nationwide uninsured rate for kids under six rose to its highest level in nearly a decade in 2024, climbing from 4.3% in 2022 to 5.3% in 2024. In Texas, the rate jumped from 7.9% to 10.8% during the two-year span.
The loss of health coverage from 2022 to 2024 occurred during the Biden administration as states started checking the eligibility of individuals enrolled in Medicaid insurance. During the pandemic, individuals who already qualified for Medicaid were able to remain enrolled without reapplying.
The uninsured rate for young kids was heading in the wrong direction during the last two years of the Biden administration — and we are concerned that it’s likely getting worse under the Trump administration. Many experts are concerned that children and families, especially those in mixed-status households, are avoiding Medicaid health insurance under the Trump administration due to fears regarding immigration enforcement.
Previous research in Texas shows that about half of children without health insurance are actually eligible for coverage through Medicaid or CHIP. State and federal leaders need to ensure that children who are eligible for health coverage — especially those under age six — are able to enroll, stay covered, and get the health care they need.