Kids, 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.
Yet recent policy changes are impacting kids, even when those policies target adults. Children 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 interpret the research we have on what works best for kids and families. We detail how current policy changes will affect children, families, and communities, and explore what can be done to mitigate harm. Throughout, we will focus on kids and communities that have been deeply impacted in this moment.
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
Adolescents and young adults' health needs evolve as a result of their rapid physical, mental and developmental growth. So too does their engagement with the health care system. The health and well-being youth experience during this period have a lasting impact, shaping an individual’s overall health into adulthood.
This chapter explores the unique experiences of adolescents in this shifting landscape. Our experts share their research, contextualizing how policy can support adolescents and where changes may impact 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)
Immigrant Health
Immigrant children and U.S. citizen kids from mixed status families have distinct health needs that intersect with language, country of origin, and migration history, among many other factors. But today, immigrant kids and kids from mixed status families, along with their caregivers, are facing challenges that no one should have to face, including violence, intimidation and family separation.
This chapter explores the intersection of these policy changes and child health. Our experts use their research and clinical expertise to help interpret the effects of these policies on kids and families.
Diana – blog post on Medicaid churn blog (2026)
Kate Yun – LINKS blog post (2026)
Michael – housing and immigrant families blog (2026)
Tara – immigration enforcement and child care blog post (2026)
Author TBD – where are we now in 2026 blog
Additional content:
LINKS project, 2026 - The Language and Immunization for Kids Study (LINKS): Identifying Public Health Strategies to Engage Families Who Prefer a Language Other Than English in Childhood Vaccine Uptake
2025-2026 public charge public comment
research at a glance, 2024 - Immigration Policies and Prenatal Care: Perspectives of Philadelphia Immigrant Birthing People
And/or related piece in The Conversation - https://theconversation.com/immigrant-moms-feel-unsafe-and-unheard-when-seeking-pregnancy-care-heres-how-theyd-improve-phillys-health-care-system-231137
Kids, 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.
Yet recent policy changes are impacting kids, even when those policies target adults. Children 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 interpret the research we have on what works best for kids and families. We detail how current policy changes will affect children, families, and communities, and explore what can be done to mitigate harm. Throughout, we focus on kids and communities that have been deeply impacted in this moment.
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
Adolescents and young adults' health needs evolve as a result of their rapid physical, mental and developmental growth. So too does their engagement with the health care system. The health and well-being youth experience during this period have a lasting impact, shaping an individual’s overall health into adulthood.
This chapter explores the unique experiences of adolescents in this shifting landscape. Our experts share their research, contextualizing how policy can support adolescents and where changes may impact 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)
Immigrant Health
Immigrant children and U.S. citizen kids from mixed status families have distinct health needs that intersect with language, country of origin, and migration history, among many other factors. But today, immigrant kids and kids from mixed status families, along with their caregivers, are facing challenges that no one should have to face, including violence, intimidation and family separation.
This chapter explores the intersection of these policy changes and child health. Our experts use their research and clinical expertise to help interpret the effects of these policies on kids and families.
Diana – blog post on Medicaid churn blog (2026)
Kate Yun – LINKS blog post (2026)
Michael – housing and immigrant families blog (2026)
Tara – immigration enforcement and child care blog post (2026)
Author TBD – where are we now in 2026 blog
Additional content:
LINKS project, 2026 - The Language and Immunization for Kids Study (LINKS): Identifying Public Health Strategies to Engage Families Who Prefer a Language Other Than English in Childhood Vaccine Uptake
2025-2026 public charge public comment
research at a glance, 2024 - Immigration Policies and Prenatal Care: Perspectives of Philadelphia Immigrant Birthing People
And/or related piece in The Conversation - https://theconversation.com/immigrant-moms-feel-unsafe-and-unheard-when-seeking-pregnancy-care-heres-how-theyd-improve-phillys-health-care-system-231137