Boise, ID — A new report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families reveals Idaho’s child uninsured rate jumped from 5.7% to 8.1% between 2022 to 2024, the second-highest increase nationwide—only Texas fared worse. The number of uninsured children rose from 28,000 in 2022 to 40,000 in 2024, a 43% increase. The state now ranks 40th out of 51 in children’s health coverage.
This spike coincides with the nationwide “Medicaid Unwinding,” during which pandemic-era coverage protections were lifted and states resumed eligibility checks. In Idaho, nearly 50,000 children lost coverage, with 73% of disenrollments1 due to procedural issues— meaning they didn’t make it through a renewal process, not because they were ineligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Idaho’s fast-tracked unwinding process2, led to higher call center wait times, more procedural disenrollments, and lower overall renewal rates compared to national averages.3
“As a pediatrician, I know firsthand that consistent health coverage is what makes preventative care possible. Insurance ensures children receive routine check-ups and developmental screenings on time,” states Dr. Brian Birch, owner of Treasure Valley Children’s Clinic. “Without it, families are forced to delay care, and small concerns can become serious health and learning challenges.”
Health insurance is critical for children’s development, access to care, and long-term outcomes. Uninsured children are more likely to miss routine checkups, delay treatment for chronic conditions like asthma, and face long-term health and economic challenges.
“All it takes is one broken arm on the school playground to financially devastate a family already struggling to make ends meet,” said Ivy Walker, Policy Associate at Idaho Voices for Children. “The number of Idaho children going without health insurance should be a wake-up call for Idaho policymakers and the unfortunate truth is that children’s access to health care is about to get much worse,” Walker added. “This is all happening before we see the impact of the federal budget cuts to Medicaid/CHIP under H.R. 1, and Idaho’s 4% budget cut to Medicaid/CHIP providers.”
Congressional Action Can Help
Idaho’s congressional delegation can act now by voting to extend enhanced premium tax credits (EPTCs), which help families afford coverage through Idaho’s health insurance marketplace. Without renewal, many families could see their premiums nearly double, leaving many Idahoans unable to afford health coverage.
For example, a family of three in Idaho earning $101,753 annually could see their monthly premium increase by $311, if the EPTC’s are not renewed. Making their new premium $1,071 per month, or $12,856 per year, nearly 12% of their household income.
“Coverage for children is not optional—it’s foundational,” said Dr. Birch. “Preventative care and early intervention are far less costly than waiting until problems become emergencies.”
We call on Idaho’s leaders to act now to prevent further harm to children’s health coverage.
That means protecting coverage for children and families from harmful budget cuts, and extending the EPTCs to keep marketplace plans affordable for working families. It also means investing in the Medicaid provider network, especially in rural and underserved areas, so children can access care close to home. With 36% of rural Idaho children relying on Medicaid/CHIP for their health coverage, the stakes couldn’t be higher.4 These children and their families face longer travel times, fewer providers, and greater barriers to care, making policy decisions at both the state and federal level even more consequential.
“Idaho’s children deserve better,” Walker said. “Lawmakers must act now to ensure every child has access to the care they need to thrive.”
Idaho Kids Covered is a statewide network of healthcare advocates and stakeholders working to support affordable access to health coverage and care for all children in Idaho. Idaho Kids Covered is a project of Idaho Voices for Children. For more information visit Idahokidscovered.org
- https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2024/05/02/child-medicaid-disenrollment-data-shows-wide-variation-in-state-performance-as-continuous-coverage-pandemic-protections-lifted/
↩︎ - https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/dhw-voice/dhw-director-dave-jeppesen-idaho-completes-medicaid-reevaluations-efficiently-and ↩︎
- https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2025/08/28/tracking-state-readiness-to-implement-hr-1/ ↩︎
- https://ccf.georgetown.edu/2025/01/15/medicaids-role-in-small-towns-and-rural-areas/ ↩︎