Kids, their families and their communities deserve a chance to thrive. Yet rapid health policy changes at the federal level are impacting kids, even when those policies target adults.
Families that rely on Medicaid, adolescents, immigrant kids and families, and caregivers with substance use disorder have unique health care needs. They also face specific health challenges that may be exacerbated by the policy environment.
In this new series, PolicyLab experts interpret the research we have on what works best for kids and families, to explore the steps forward for decision makers, researchers and advocates who want to help.
Dive into these issues with us by clicking on each chapter heading below. We'll update as we track changes and emerging issues.
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 have changing needs based on their development. But their already-low engagement with the health system may be further strained by changing policy and uncertainty about changes to health care.
This chapter explores the unique challenges adolescents face. Our experts share their research, contextualizing how policy changes may impact adolescents and young adults.
Adolescent Health: What’s at Stake? (2025)
-video update (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 blog or video with Emma E (2026)
Ensuring access to behavioral health care
-schools blog with April and Gwen (2026)
Ensuring inclusion for adolescents and young adults
-blog with Scott 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
Immigrants and mixed status families have unique healthcare needs. Yet challenges ranging from language differences to punitive immigration policies limit or prevent access to health care.
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
-2026 updates to older content such as:
blog, 2021 - Thawing the Chill From Public Charge Will Take Time and Investment
blog, 2021 - The Case for Congressional Action on Public Charge
blog, 2020 - Immigration Policies Qualify as Torture, Our Research Should Not Re-Traumatize
blog, 2020 - The Public Charge Rule’s Chilling Effect on Public Benefits Utilization in 200 Words
pilot grant - Understanding the Impacts of Sanctuary Immigration Policies on Latinx Population Health
- published in health affairs - https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.00097
Caregivers with Substance Use Disorder
Caregivers with substance use disorder blurb.
Content TBD
Kids, their families and their communities deserve a chance to thrive. Government officials at all levels have the opportunity to design policies and programs to support children and families. Research can help ensure that these policies and programs are informed by the best-available data and optimized for impact.
Yet rapid policy changes at the federal level 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, to explore the steps forward for decision makers, researchers and advocates who want to help. We focus on four groups that face intersecting challenges in this moment: families who rely on Medicaid, adolescents, immigrant kids and families and caregivers with substance use disorder.
Dive into these issues with us by clicking on each chapter heading below. We'll update each chapter 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 have changing needs based on their development. But their already-low engagement with the health system may be further strained by changing policy and uncertainty about changes to health care.
This chapter explores the unique challenges adolescents face. Our experts share their research, contextualizing how policy changes may impact adolescents and young adults.
Adolescent Health: What’s at Stake? (2025)
-video update (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 blog or video with Emma E (2026)
Ensuring access to behavioral health care
-schools blog with April and Gwen (2026)
Ensuring inclusion for adolescents and young adults
-blog with Scott 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
Immigrants and mixed status families have unique healthcare needs. Yet challenges ranging from language differences to punitive immigration policies limit or prevent access to health care.
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
-2026 updates to older content such as:
blog, 2021 - Thawing the Chill From Public Charge Will Take Time and Investment
blog, 2021 - The Case for Congressional Action on Public Charge
blog, 2020 - Immigration Policies Qualify as Torture, Our Research Should Not Re-Traumatize
blog, 2020 - The Public Charge Rule’s Chilling Effect on Public Benefits Utilization in 200 Words
pilot grant - Understanding the Impacts of Sanctuary Immigration Policies on Latinx Population Health
- published in health affairs - https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2021.00097
Caregivers with Substance Use Disorder
Caregivers with substance use disorder blurb.
Content TBD