Children in Texas are more likely to be uninsured than children in the rest of the United States.
A report by the American Community Survey, most commonly known for conducting the U.S. Census, examined the number of Americans insured versus uninsured. Data showed that 12% of Texas children 18 and under were uninsured in 2023, higher than any other state.
Between 2019 and 2023, 17 states saw a decline in rates of uninsured children. In 11 of those states, only public coverage increased; private coverage decreased in three states and did not change in eight states.
Texas was the only state that saw increased private coverage and no change in public coverage.
Between 2022 and 2023, the rate of uninsured children increased in six states: Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, South Carolina, Washington, and Texas.
Medicaid coverage for children declined in seven states, including Texas, and increased in five.
According to Texans Care for Children, 47% of uninsured children in Texas are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP health coverage but are not enrolled. Thus, nearly 852,000 Texas kids are uninsured, and 400,000 of those are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP.
According to the report, several factors influenced the health insurance landscape between 2019 and 2023. Federal and many state governments intervened during the COVID-19 pandemic to help minimize losses in health insurance coverage. Additionally, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ensured that states would provide continuous coverage for people enrolled in Medicaid.
Overall, data shows that the working-age population is the least likely to be insured but has the highest overall rate of private coverage. In 2023, 14% or more of working-aged adults, ages 19 to 64, were uninsured in Texas, one of the highest rates in the country.
People aged 65 and up are the most likely to be insured and most likely to have public coverage.