AUSTIN — A study by Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families found the uninsured rate for children under 6 in the U.S. rose from 4.3% in 2022 to 5.3% in 2024, the highest level in a decade. The analysis examined national health insurance coverage trends for young children during that two-year period.
Texas had the highest state-level uninsured rate for children under 6 in 2024, with 10.8% lacking coverage, up from 7.9% in 2022. The number of uninsured children under 6 in Texas increased from 179,800 to 253,100 during the same period, a rise of 73,300 or 40.7%.
Texas, Florida, and Georgia together accounted for more than half of the national increase in uninsured children under 6 between 2022 and 2024. In Texas alone, the growth in uninsured young children outpaced coverage gains seen among school-age children nationwide and in nine states, including Texas.
Researchers said health coverage in a child’s early years, especially within the first three, is critical for keeping up with frequent doctor visits and ensuring the child’s health, making insurance essential. "The number of uninsured young children is expected to rise as affordability concerns grow nationwide," said Elisabeth Burak, a research fellow at the center.