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More than 13% of Texas kids don't have health insurance. Experts warn it could get worse | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 9:28 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Uninsured Texas Children: Rising Numbers and Worrying Implications

In a stark reminder of the growing health‑care divide in the Lone Star State, a recent Houston Public Media feature highlighted that more than 13 % of Texas children are without health insurance. The piece, released on September 15 2025, paints a portrait of a shifting policy landscape and a population of kids—both low‑income and middle‑class—left increasingly vulnerable to medical debt, delayed care, and preventable illnesses.

The Numbers Behind the Headline

According to data cited in the article, the percentage of uninsured children in Texas climbed from 11 % in 2023 to 13 % in 2025. That shift is largely tied to a combination of federal policy changes and state‑level budget decisions. The piece refers to a Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) report—available through the agency’s public data portal—that shows the number of children enrolled in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) dropped by roughly 15 % between 2023 and 2025. Meanwhile, Medicaid enrollment for children aged 0–18 slipped by nearly 7 %.

The article notes that uninsured rates are unevenly distributed across the state: urban centers such as Houston and Dallas show relatively lower gaps, hovering around 10 %, whereas rural counties and areas with high concentrations of undocumented families see rates exceeding 20 %. The piece links to a detailed Texas Department of Insurance map that visualizes uninsured prevalence by county, offering readers an interactive way to explore geographic disparities.

Why the Gap Is Growing

A central theme in the feature is the impact of Texas’ fiscal tightening and legislative agenda on public health coverage. The article quotes state budget officials who explain that the 2025 fiscal plan proposes significant cuts to the Texas Health and Human Services’ “Child Health” grant—a program that historically subsidized families struggling to pay premiums for private insurance. By trimming this grant by $250 million, the state may be forcing more families to forego coverage altogether.

At the federal level, the article highlights that the 2024 expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) under the American Rescue Plan Act has been partially rolled back by the Biden administration, resulting in reduced federal matching funds for Texas. Experts suggest that this withdrawal of federal subsidies is a key driver behind the decline in SCHIP enrollment.

Another factor noted by the article is the ongoing debate over Medicaid expansion. While Texas has not adopted the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid, some local governments—particularly in San Antonio—have considered a “local expansion” strategy. The article links to a recent University of Texas‑Austin study that argues such local expansions could reduce uninsured rates by up to 5 % in participating counties, but warns that without state‑wide backing, the benefits remain fragmented.

Voices from the Front Lines

A significant portion of the piece is devoted to expert commentary. The article interviews Dr. Laila Ramirez, a pediatrician at the University of Texas Medical Branch, who warns that the uninsured are missing critical preventive services such as immunizations, routine vision and dental screenings, and early developmental assessments. Dr. Ramirez points out that in 2024, over 12 % of uninsured children in Texas missed at least one scheduled check‑up—compared with just 6 % of insured children.

The article also brings in community health advocates such as Maria Hernandez of the Texas Parents’ Alliance. Hernandez argues that the cost burden of private insurance—especially for families with multiple children—has pushed many to the brink. She cites a survey distributed by her organization, which found that 68 % of uninsured families had paid more than $200 per month in medical bills and that over one‑third had delayed or forgone care due to cost.

The piece quotes a representative from the Texas Association of Community Health Centers, who emphasizes that community health centers (CHCs) are filling the gap, but are stretched thin by increased patient volumes and dwindling federal reimbursement rates. The article links to the CHC’s 2025 annual report which shows a 15 % increase in patient visits from the uninsured sector.

What It Means for Families

Beyond the raw statistics, the article humanizes the data by profiling three families. One, the Smiths of El Paso, describes how they had to cancel a scheduled surgery for their child because they could not afford the pre‑authorization fees. Another, the Garcia family from a small rural town, recounts how they relied on out‑of‑pocket payments and the generosity of local nonprofits to keep their children alive and healthy.

The piece highlights that uninsured children are more likely to experience higher rates of chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes—conditions that require ongoing monitoring and medication. The article references a link to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ position paper on the consequences of insurance gaps, which estimates that uninsured children incur $3.8 billion in additional medical costs each year—not all of which are covered by the public sector.

Potential Policy Solutions

Looking forward, the article discusses several policy options that could reverse the trend:

1. Restoring Federal CHIP Funding – By negotiating a new federal matching rate, Texas could recoup many of the lost subsidies and stabilize SCHIP enrollment.
2. Expanding Medicaid at the County Level – The article links to the Texas Legislature’s Committee on Health minutes, which detail how some counties are planning to adopt local expansion schemes to increase coverage without state‑wide mandates.
3. Increasing Public Subsidies for Private Insurance – State officials propose a dedicated “Child Insurance Subsidy Fund” that would help low‑income families purchase private plans. The article cites a Fiscal 2026 Budget Draft that includes a projected $120 million for this purpose.
4. Strengthening Community Health Center Funding – With a $200 million increase in federal grant money for CHCs, the state could improve access to primary care for uninsured kids.

The feature concludes by emphasizing that time is of the essence. The article quotes Dr. Ramirez: “Every month an uninsured child sits in the waiting room or, worse, at home without a doctor. The longer we wait to act, the more costly it becomes—not just for families but for the entire state.”

Final Takeaway

The Houston Public Media piece is a timely exposé that not only quantifies the growing crisis of uninsured children in Texas but also illuminates the socio‑political forces that perpetuate it. By tying in federal policy shifts, state budget allocations, expert insights, and personal stories, the article paints a comprehensive picture that should motivate policymakers, community advocates, and the public to consider tangible solutions before the health and financial toll becomes even greater.