Children, families and communities deserve a chance to thrive. Policymakers at all levels have the opportunity to design policies and programs to support children and families. Research can show us what works and what doesn’t, to help ensure that policies, programs, and family-serving systems are shaped by evidence and optimized to meet the needs of children and families.
Recent policy changes are impacting children, even when those policies target adults. Children and youth also face specific health challenges that may be exacerbated by the policy environment, the uncertainty of the current moment, and stressors their families and communities face.
In this series, PolicyLab experts use their research and expertise about what works best for children and families to help interpret changes in this moment. We explore how current and potential future policy changes will affect children, families, and communities, and what can be done to mitigate harm. Throughout, we focus on children and communities that have been deeply impacted by recent changes.
Dive into these issues with us by clicking on each chapter heading below. We'll update each chapter – and add new ones – as we track changes and emerging issues. Stay tuned.
Medicaid
Cross-posted from PolicyLab's Medicaid Defense series.
Medicaid plays a leading role in the health and well-being of families across the country—nearly 40% of children receive health care coverage under the program. With its comprehensive set of pediatric benefits, Medicaid provides access to necessary medical care, screenings, and preventive services that support both the immediate and long-term health of children and caregivers.
This chapter explores the role Medicaid plays in the health of children, families and communities. In these posts, our experts from diverse disciplines dig into the data, and in some cases lean on their clinical experience caring for children, to underscore the importance of the program for different groups of children and their families.
Secondary Medicaid: Why Privately Insured Children Rely on Medicaid, Too
Video: Dr. Emma Gerstenzang explains why and how "wrap-around" Medicaid supports families of all income levels.
The Heart of the Matter: Why Medicaid Is Crucial for Children With Congenital Heart Disease
Why Adult Medicaid Is a Critical Component of Child Health
Medicaid Works for Children and Families in Rural Pennsylvania
Video: Dr. Jennifer Whittaker highlights the ways Medicaid supports kids and families living in rural areas.
Medicaid Is a Lifeline for Many Working Families
Video: Doug Strane explains why many middle-income families are relying on Medicaid for their children.
Why Medicaid Is Important for Children and Youth With Disabilities
Video: Dr. Kate Wallis helps us understand how Medicaid coverage supports these children.
The Vital Role of Medicaid in Adolescent Eating Disorder Care
Adolescent Health
As adolescents and young adults undergo rapid physical, mental and developmental changes, their health needs and interactions with the health care system evolve. These needs and experiences vary widely—especially for underserved and marginalized youth—and health during this life stage has long-term consequences.
This chapter examines four policy priorities relevant to adolescents’ unique needs: maintaining insurance coverage, improving access to behavioral health care, expanding confidential sexual and reproductive care, and promoting inclusive approaches in health systems and other youth-serving systems. Our experts summarize their research and stand on their clinical experience working with adolescents to explain the downstream effects of current policy changes on adolescents, and what can be done to support adolescents and young adults.
Adolescent Health: What’s at Stake? (2025)
-update with Radha (2026)
Expert Perspectives on Health Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults in this Moment (2025)
Keeping adolescents covered
-Care transitions blog with Kemar and Stats (2026)
-Diabetes transitions video with Emma E (2026)
Ensuring access to behavioral health care
-school staff as key supports in this time blog with April and Gwen (2026)
Ensuring inclusion for adolescents and young adults
-blog with Scott and Jenine on data confidentiality / loss (2026)
Maintaining confidential sexual and reproductive health care
What Changes in Access to Sexual Health Care Could Mean for Teens (2025)
-Title X video with Cynthia (2026)
Children, families and communities deserve a chance to thrive. Policymakers at all levels have the opportunity to design policies and programs to support children and families. Research can show us what works and what doesn’t, to help ensure that policies, programs, and family-serving systems are shaped by evidence and optimized to meet the needs of children and families.
Recent policy changes are impacting children, even when those policies target adults. Children and youth also face specific health challenges that may be exacerbated by the policy environment, the uncertainty of the current moment, and stressors their families and communities face.
In this series, PolicyLab experts use their research and expertise about what works best for children and families to help interpret changes in this moment. We explore how current and potential future policy changes will affect children, families, and communities, and what can be done to mitigate harm. Throughout, we focus on children and communities that have been deeply impacted by recent changes.
Dive into these issues with us by clicking on each chapter heading below. We'll update each chapter – and add new ones – as we track changes and emerging issues. Stay tuned.
Medicaid
Cross-posted from PolicyLab's Medicaid Defense series.
Medicaid plays a leading role in the health and well-being of families across the country—nearly 40% of children receive health care coverage under the program. With its comprehensive set of pediatric benefits, Medicaid provides access to necessary medical care, screenings, and preventive services that support both the immediate and long-term health of children and caregivers.
This chapter explores the role Medicaid plays in the health of children, families and communities. In these posts, our experts from diverse disciplines dig into the data, and in some cases lean on their clinical experience caring for children, to underscore the importance of the program for different groups of children and their families.
Secondary Medicaid: Why Privately Insured Children Rely on Medicaid, Too
Video: Dr. Emma Gerstenzang explains why and how "wrap-around" Medicaid supports families of all income levels.
The Heart of the Matter: Why Medicaid Is Crucial for Children With Congenital Heart Disease
Why Adult Medicaid Is a Critical Component of Child Health
Medicaid Works for Children and Families in Rural Pennsylvania
Video: Dr. Jennifer Whittaker highlights the ways Medicaid supports kids and families living in rural areas.
Medicaid Is a Lifeline for Many Working Families
Video: Doug Strane explains why many middle-income families are relying on Medicaid for their children.
Why Medicaid Is Important for Children and Youth With Disabilities
Video: Dr. Kate Wallis helps us understand how Medicaid coverage supports these children.
The Vital Role of Medicaid in Adolescent Eating Disorder Care
Adolescent Health
As adolescents and young adults undergo rapid physical, mental and developmental changes, their health needs and interactions with the health care system evolve. These needs and experiences vary widely—especially for underserved and marginalized youth—and health during this life stage has long-term consequences.
This chapter examines four policy priorities relevant to adolescents’ unique needs: maintaining insurance coverage, improving access to behavioral health care, expanding confidential sexual and reproductive care, and promoting inclusive approaches in health systems and other youth-serving systems. Our experts summarize their research and stand on their clinical experience working with adolescents to explain the downstream effects of current policy changes on adolescents, and what can be done to support adolescents and young adults.
Adolescent Health: What’s at Stake? (2025)
-update with Radha (2026)
Expert Perspectives on Health Needs of Adolescents and Young Adults in this Moment (2025)
Keeping adolescents covered
-Care transitions blog with Kemar and Stats (2026)
-Diabetes transitions video with Emma E (2026)
Ensuring access to behavioral health care
-school staff as key supports in this time blog with April and Gwen (2026)
Ensuring inclusion for adolescents and young adults
-blog with Scott and Jenine on data confidentiality / loss (2026)
Maintaining confidential sexual and reproductive health care
What Changes in Access to Sexual Health Care Could Mean for Teens (2025)
-Title X video with Cynthia (2026)