Pennsylvania has the 5th highest number of uninsured children in the nation, according to the Pennsylvania Partnership for Children.

There are more uninsured kids in Pennsylvania – 174,000! – than the total population of Harrisburg and Scranton combined. 

While large counties like Philadelphia and Lancaster have the largest number of uninsured children, seven rural counties have the biggest share of kids who lack coverage, hovering at 19% or higher.

Disparity in access to insurance is one problem, but the fact that every neighboring state has a much lower number of uninsured children is downright embarrassing. A child growing up in Pennsylvania is twice as likely to be uninsured than a child in New York State. Even in Ohio, which has the next highest rate of uninsured kids, children are significantly more likely to be covered. 

We know that when children and teens have health insurance, they’re healthier. They get routine checkups, vaccines, and medications, receive urgent care without long and costly emergency room visits, and regular treatment for chronic conditions like asthma. Because of this, covered kids are more likely to graduate from high school and college, earn higher wages, and hopefully live a fuller, happier life.

We also know that when children and teens have health insurance, the state economy is healthier. All of those higher wage earners will pay higher taxes, generating millions in additional state tax revenues each year.

On top of that, Pennsylvania state and local
governments would save millions by avoiding payments to reimburse hospitals for their uncompensated care costs when an uncovered child receives hospital services.

We can no longer afford to ignore the social and fiscal costs to our state when thousands of children are uninsured and Pennsylvania is missing out on enormous savings to taxpayers.

Children First is working with partners across the state
to Insure Every Child. To do so, the state legislature must enact the laws that find every uninsured child and remove every barrier they currently face to being eligible for coverage.