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New York’s Commitment to Children’s Health

New York’s Commitment to Children’s Health

by | Mar 24, 2026 | Child Poverty, Health

The Promise

New York State’s Medicaid program, along with Child Health Plus, helps ensure children have the health coverage and care they need to thrive. New York prioritizes child health coverage and care by investing in mental health and policies focused on young children and their families that are proven to prevent poor health and disease.

The Challenge

Connecting children and their caregivers to care and services early, before there is a diagnosis or disease, prevents many health challenges and reduces the financial and human costs associated with acute and chronic conditions.1 The 2025 federal tax and budget reconciliation bill—H.R. 1— instituted deep cuts to Medicaid and other health coverage assistance that will cause people to lose coverage, reduce access to care, and force states to make significant decisions about how to maintain health coverage and care with far less federal funding. In addition to funding reductions, federal policy changes impose costly new administrative barriers that will burden enrollees, states, and local governments.

What We Know

New York is a leader in providing affordable, comprehensive health insurance coverage to 1,780,200 children through Medicaid and Child Health Plus, which cover 44% of the state’s children and nearly 80% of children living in poverty and near poverty.2, 3 In 2025, New York implemented continuous Medicaid eligibility for children from birth to age six, with the aim of maintaining uninterrupted access to services young children need to thrive. This new state policy is threatened by recent federal action stating that the federal government will not renew waivers that allow states to implement continuous eligibility.4 

 

Medicaid and Child Health Plus cover 44% of all NYS children and nearly 80% of children in poverty

While children are not specifically targeted for Medicaid cuts in the new federal law, H.R. 1’s funding reductions and administrative barriers, together with immigrant restrictions and aggressive immigration enforcement, will impact children’s coverage and access to services. There will be far less federal Medicaid funding coming into the state, which will force New York policymakers to make hard decisions about how to continue vital health care coverage and services.

H.R. 1 introduces new work reporting requirements and more frequent eligibility determinations for many adult Medicaid enrollees.5 Starting January 1, 2027, most adults aged 19-64, including parents of dependent children above age 13, will be expected to document at least 80 hours/month of work or other qualifying activity. Among those exempt from work reporting requirements are parents/guardians/ caretakers of dependent children under the age of 14 and disabled family members; pregnant people or those receiving postpartum coverage; and former foster youth. As reported by the Congressional Budget Office, Harvard University researchers, and the Urban Institute, work reporting requirements are expected to have little or no effect on employment or hours worked.6, 7, 8 Work requirements and more frequent redeterminations produce savings in Medicaid when people are disenrolled from Medicaid due mto red tape.9 While these new rules do not apply to children, studies have shown that parental health insurance continuity is integral to maintaining children’s insurance coverage.10

Another federal action threatening access to health care: in July 2025, the federal Department of Health and Human Services issued a reinterpretation of existing law, defining “public benefit” to exclude potentially millions of immigrant residents of the United States—many of whom are lawfully present—from access to federally-funded health and social service programs, many of which serve children.11

I am a young, single mother to a 7-year-old with developmental disabilities, on my own with limited supports, and despite working to the greatest of my capabilities and opportunities, [have] extremely low income. Medicaid allows me to feel safety in regard to my son’s health. Without Medicaid, I would not have an effective way to provide him with health insurance and, therefore, any and all treatments he needs or may need.

- Selena Mosquera, New York City

State Policy Solutions

 

  • Prioritize children’s coverage and care, with a focus on healthy development, preventing chronic and acute conditions, and mental health.
  • Increase funding for navigators/assistors to help people get and retain benefits for which they are eligible.
  • Automate enrollment and renewals through ex-parte processes (assessing eligibility based on information available to the agency from the case file or data sources) to avoid burdensome paperwork and strengthen program accuracy. Improve coordination and data sharing across agencies to assist with eligibility documentation.
  • Streamline, simplify, and clarify Medicaid application and renewal to ensure people keep the coverage for which they are eligible
More Data on the State of New York's Children

1 Tolbert, J., Cervantes, S., Bell, C., Damico, A. (2024). Key Facts about the Uninsured Population. KFF.
2 KFF. (n.d). Health Insurance Coverage of Children 0-18.
3 KFF. (n.d). Health Insurance Coverage of Low Income Children 0-18 (under 200% FPL. 
4 Snyder, D. (2025). Section 1115 Demonstration Authority for Continuous Eligibility Initiatives. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 
5 Hinton,E., Diana A., Rudowitz, R. (2025). A Closer Look at the Work Requirement Provisions in the 2025 Federal Budget Reconciliation Law.
6 Swagel, P. (2025). Re: Estimated Effects on the Number of Uninsured People in 2034 Resulting From Policies Incorporated Within CBO’s Baseline Projections and H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
7 Sommers, B., Goldman, A., Blendon, R., Orav, J., Epstein, A. (2019). Medicaid Work Requirements — Results from the First Year in Arkansas.
8 Karpman, M., Gangopadhyaya, A. (2025). New Evidence Confirms Arkansas’s Medicaid Work Requirement Did Not Boost Employment.
9 Park, E., Corlette, S. (2025). Medicaid, CHIP, and Affordable Care Act Marketplace Cuts and Other Health Provisions in the Budget Reconciliation Law, Explained.
10 Yamauchi, M., Carlson, M. J., Wright, B. J., Angier, H., & DeVoe, J. E. (2013). Does Health Insurance Continuity Among Low-income Adults Impact Their Children’s Insurance Coverage?. 
11 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2025). HHS Bans Illegal Aliens from Accessing its Taxpayer-Funded Programs.

*For all sources and computations, go to: https://scaany.org/sonyc-sources-2026

2026 State of New York’s Children Data Briefing

2026 State of New York’s Children Data Briefing

by | Jan 13, 2026 | Child Care, Child Poverty, Child Welfare, Data, Early Childhood Health, Family Economic Security, Health, News, Past Events, SONYC

Schuyler Center’s annual State of New York’s Children Data Book provides a data snapshot of the wellbeing of New York’s children and families and the challenges New York families are facing. Having good data is imperative to identifying the right policy solutions.

On January 13, Schuyler Center’s policy team presented the latest data and policy recommendations around child and family wellbeing in New York State.

View the event recording

View the presentation slides

Download the 2026 Data Book

Key Data Points and Takeaways:

New York children, over 18%, experienced poverty in 2023

%

of New York children experienced food insecurity in 2023

%

of 2024 reports to CPS were deemed unfounded (93,061)

children received child care assistance in September 2025, a 25% increase from the year prior

  • In 2023, approximately 731,672 New York children, over 18%, experienced poverty, compared to 16% nationally.
  • New York State ranks 40th in the nation for child poverty.
  • The 2021 pandemic expansion of the federal Child Tax Credit dramatically and quickly cut child poverty nearly in half nationally and in New York State. When that expansion and other pandemic supports ended, child poverty rates resurged and surpassed pre-pandemic rates.
  • Child care is the largest monthly bill for many families, costing an average of:
    • $3,149 per month for an infant and a 4-year-old in a child care center ($37,782 per year)
    • $1,368/month for an infant in family- based child care ($16,415 per year)
    • $2,217/month for two school-age children in family-based afterschool care ($26,598 per year)
  •  The average wage for a child care worker in New York $37,675/annual / $18.11/hour.
    • Family child care educators, a workforce that is 94% women and largely people of color, earn less than 96% of occupations statewide.
    • According to the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, approximately 168,600 children received child care assistance in September 2025. In contrast, there are more than one million New York children eligible for child care assistance.
  • The percentage of Medicaid-Enrolled New York children who had at least one dental visit within the last year exceeded 50% just once in the last decade.
  • Medicaid and Child Health Plus cover 44% of all NYS children and nearly 80% of children in poverty.
  • Over 143,000 New York families were subjected to CPS investigations in 2024.
    • 75.9% (93,061) of reports filed with the Statewide Central Register in 2024 were unfounded.

    Direct Links to Data by Issue Area:

    New York State’s Children – Demographics on New York’s current population of children.

    Child Poverty:

    Child Health:

    Child Welfare:

    Child Care:

     

    2026 Policy Priorities for Child and Family Wellbeing

    2026 Policy Priorities for Child and Family Wellbeing

    by | Oct 31, 2025 | Child Care, Child Poverty, Child Welfare, Early Childhood Health, Family Economic Security, Health, News, Oral Health

    Download the 2026 policy priorities document here. 

    During the 2026 New York State Legislative Session, Schuyler Center will prioritize policies and investments that improve health, wellbeing, and economic security of New York’s families, children, and communities, with a focus on New Yorkers who are working hard to make ends meet. While New York has made a statutory commitment to cut child poverty in half by 2032, the rate of children experiencing poverty across New York State remains high, with over 18% of all New York children experiencing poverty. Further, recent and pending federal actions have eliminated or weakened services that New York families rely on in times of need. This means it is more important than ever for New York leaders to act boldly and with urgency to advance policies and investments proven to reduce child poverty, strengthen families, and set up New York children to thrive.

    (View the details on policies that will achieve each goal here.) 

    • Goal 1: Family Economic Security — Effectively implement and expand existing policies and adopt new approaches to reduce child poverty and racial inequity statewide
    • Goal 2: Child Care — Take substantial strides toward achieving statewide universal child care.
    • Goal 3: Children’s Health — Expand and increase investment in child and family health. 
    • Goal 4: Child Welfare — Transform child welfare by supporting families and communities.

    Details on reaching each of the above goals can be found in the full 2026 Policy Priorities document. 

    Federal Impact Resources

    Federal Impact Resources

    by | Aug 6, 2025 | Child Care, Child Poverty, Child Welfare, Early Childhood Health, Family Economic Security, Health, Legislative, News, Oral Health, Resources

    Schuyler Center is continuing to monitor the impact that federal changes will have on children and families across New York State.  

    With the recent passing of the HR.1 bill, our efforts remain steadfast to ensure that New York’s families can access resources and are protected in these challenging times. 

    Steps you can take right now include: 

     

    If you have a suggested resource or day of action, please reach out to our policy team.    

    Medicaid Turns 60!

    Medicaid Turns 60!

    by | Jul 30, 2025 | Health, News

    Written by Lara Kassel, Coordinator for Medicaid Matters New York

    Medicaid – the public health insurance program providing coverage to people with low income and people with disabilities – was signed into federal law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 30, 1965. New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller signed it into state law the following year. Since that time, New York State has administered a robust, comprehensive Medicaid program, now providing health insurance coverage for approximately seven million New Yorkers statewide. Here are a few of the New Yorkers who have health insurance coverage through Medicaid. Many of us know a child, parent, grandparent, or neighbor covered by Medicaid.  

    Over the years, New York’s Medicaid program has seen many changes and expansions. New York has a rich history of maintaining a comprehensive program, providing program options and benefits other states do not.  These include prescription drugs, dental care, home care, and more. It is hard to imagine a Medicaid program that wouldn’t cover these essential services. 

    2025: Medicaid Under Threat

    The 60th anniversary of Medicaid finds us in a troubling time – Congress has passed and the President has signed H.R.1 (the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill”) that will deliver massive, devastating cuts to state Medicaid programs in order to pay for tax breaks for wealthy people and big corporations. The massive budget reconciliation package will shift billions of dollars in Medicaid costs to states and local governments. Any way you slice it, the hit to New York’s state and local budgets will be enormous. 

    Medicaid fuels the health care delivery system, helping New York’s hospitals, health centers, mental health services, maternity care, and rehab services keep the lights on and ensuring that doctors, nurses, and therapists are there when we need them. The fiscal impact of these changes will require revamping the way New York funds health care. Access to care in the hardest to reach areas will be most at risk. 

    The direct human impact of federal funding reductions, however, will be loss of insurance coverage in both Medicaid and the Essential Plan. The congressional budget plan relies on people losing coverage through paperwork barriers and other red tape. People will become uninsured, not because their income disqualifies them, but because they didn’t fill out the right form or send it back in time.   

    Protecting Medicaid Now and Into the Future

    Housed at Schuyler Center, Medicaid Matters New York has been collecting stories from people who have Medicaid for their health insurance coverage, amplifying the importance of the program to their lives. Medicaid is a safety net for New Yorkers across the state, like Katy in the Capital Region who says “My health care was covered by Medicaid during two periods in my life… it made it so I could take care of my health, get prescription medications, and maintain relationships with doctors while looking for work… it was there, it was comprehensive, and it kept me going.” 

    Medicaid is a federal-state partnership – that partnership is integral to the program’s design. As we mark Medicaid’s 60th anniversary, we must set our sights on protecting the program for the millions of New Yorkers who rely on Medicaid for their health, well-being, and independence. 

    Medicaid Matters to Roy Probeyahn

    “The first time my bride Arleen, may she Rest In Peace, and I heard the word Autism was in late 1963, 62 years ago. High school sweethearts, we had been married just two years, and our eldest son Roy was but a year old. Yet, we would go on to learn that ultimately all three of our beloved sons—Roy Jr., Mike, and Glenn had— Autism. We later learned we are a Fragile X Syndrome family. We made another vow to each other; our sons are going to live in their own home with us for the rest of their lives. We did just that.  

    Under the Medicaid waiver, we were the first family in New York State to receive residential services, for disabled adult children living at home. Our sons relied on Medicaid their entire lives, for acute medical, as they were afflicted with many unique and challenging health issues, some life-threatening, involving hospitalizations of all three. Medicaid enabled our youngest Glenn to gain employment with a job coach. He completed 20 quarters of employment and qualified for Social Security.  

    As they aged, they required additional residential services through Medicaid, as their needs increased and became more complex. Medicaid was and is an essential part of the safe and secure quality of life they required.”

    – Roy Probeyahn, Manorville NY 

    New York State Budget Update Webinar

    New York State Budget Update Webinar

    by | Mar 25, 2025 | Child Care, Child Poverty, Child Welfare, Health, NYS Budget, Oral Health, Past Events

    On March 21st, 2025, the Schuyler Center’s policy team hosted a webinar to discuss what we’re watching as the NYS Legislature and Executive negotiate the investments that will be included in the final enacted state budget. As state budget negotiations continue, members of Schuyler Center’s policy team provided an update on priorities related to child poverty reduction, universal child care, child and family health, and child welfare. The team also shared ways that attendees can advocate for investments in New York’s children. Materials from the webinar can be found below.