Modern Medicaid Alliance urges Congress to protect children’s access to care
April 7 • 2025
Washington, D.C. — The Modern Medicaid Alliance (MMA) and its partners are urging Congress to reject proposals that would impose significant cuts to the Medicaid program, warning that proposed funding reductions put the health and well-being of nearly 40 million children at risk.
Medicaid is the nation’s largest insurer of children, covering 42% of all U.S. births, 80% of low-income children, half of children with special health care needs, 3 million children in military-connected families and more than 40% of children living in rural areas and small towns. Medicaid provides access to critical health services from prenatal and childbirth care to routine check-ups, school-based services and complex care for children with special needs. Cuts to the program would jeopardize children’s timely access to this vital care, putting their health at risk and imposing an unbearable burden on American families.
As Congress considers a range of changes to Medicaid, including capping federal funding, shifting costs to states or imposing administrative barriers, MMA and its partners are highlighting the essential role Medicaid plays in children’s lives and the urgent need to protect the program as part of a coordinated Medicaid Week of Action.
“Pediatricians know that Medicaid is a lifeline program for millions of children and families across the country. The program is designed for children’s unique health needs and ensures they can receive the routine care, services and treatments that help them grow up healthy and thrive, from well child check-ups to immunizations to behavioral health consultations,” said Susan J. Kressly, MD, FAAP, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Pediatrics depends on Medicaid, and funding cuts to the program would harm the health of all children — our lawmakers must keep Medicaid strong.”
“For children with complex medical conditions, consistent access to specialized pediatric care is essential,” said Aimee Ossman, Vice President of Policy at the Children’s Hospital Association. “Children’s hospitals rely on Medicaid to deliver coordinated, often lifesaving care to families who would otherwise struggle to afford it. Threats to Medicaid funding would put these children at serious risk and strain the very system designed to care for them.”
“Medicaid plays a vital role in helping schools support students’ physical, mental and behavioral health needs,” said Jessie Mandle, National Program Director for the Healthy Schools Campaign. “From managing chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes to providing mental health care and counseling, Medicaid-funded school-based services help ensure students are healthy and ready to learn. Cuts to Medicaid would threaten these essential services and widen health gaps for children who need support the most.”
“Not only does Medicaid provide critical health care coverage, including mental health services, to young families, it also supports vital preventative services that set children and families on a path to long-term success,” said Charlotte Min-Harris, President and CEO of The National Service Office for Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First. “Cuts to Medicaid could dismantle these proven, cost-effective services and put the health of mothers and babies at risk.”
“Forty-four percent of babies and young children receive health services — like sick and well-child visits — through Medicaid. Medicaid also makes sure that children with disabilities have access to the services they need to address developmental and physical delays, setting them up for success in school and in the future,” said Johanna Lister, Director of Policy for HealthySteps, a program of ZERO TO THREE. “Cutting Medicaid will disrupt care for millions of children. It will hurt the economy, and it will hurt American families.”
Any cuts to Medicaid would be a direct threat to children’s access to care. MMA calls on Congress to protect this essential program and ensure that every child has the care they need to grow, learn and thrive.