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 [ WELLNESS ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=13)

#  California Offers the Fifth Strongest Health Protection for Children

March 15 2026

Written by CityWatch.

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HEALTHCARE - Access to affordable healthcare during childhood plays a decisive role in shaping lifelong health, educational attainment, and economic stability. For millions of families across the United States, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides a critical safety net – ensuring children receive preventive care, treatment, and essential health services. A new study highlights major differences between states in how effectively CHIP is protecting children nationwide.

The research by [Birth Injury Lawyers Group](https://www.birthinjurylawyer.com/) analyzed 2024 Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollment data alongside U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for children under age 19. Researchers calculated the number of children enrolled in CHIP per 1,000 children under 19 in each state to identify where children are most likely to have access to publicly supported health coverage.

California ranks fifth, with 129 children enrolled in CHIP per 1,000 under age 19. Despite having the nation’s largest child population (9,480,244), the state covered 1,227,190 children through CHIP in 2024.

Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson from Birth Injury Lawyers Group said:

“Health coverage in childhood isn’t optional – it’s foundational. When children have access to consistent healthcare, preventable conditions are caught early and families avoid devastating financial strain.

These numbers show that strong public programs can make a measurable difference. CHIP doesn’t just protect children’s health today; it protects their futures. Ensuring every eligible child is enrolled should be a national priority.”

**Table for Extended Results:**

| **Top 10 U.S. States Where Children Are Most Protected by CHIP** |
|---|
| State | CHIP Enrollment per 1000 Children under 19 Years | Rank |
| Oregon | 202.5 | 1 |
| New York | 151.6 | 2 |
| Alabama | 142.7 | 3 |
| North Carolina | 131.8 | 4 |
| California | 129.4 | 5 |
| Maryland | 128.9 | 6 |
| Massachusetts | 125.6 | 7 |
| Louisiana | 125.1 | 8 |
| Kentucky | 118.6 | 9 |
| New Jersey | 112.4 | 10 |

**What Policymakers Can Do to Strengthen CHIP Coverage**

- Expand outreach and enrollment efforts to ensure eligible families are aware of CHIP benefits and how to apply.
- Simplify eligibility and renewal processes to prevent children from losing coverage due to administrative barriers.
- Increase state and federal funding to maintain comprehensive benefits, including preventive care, mental health services, and specialist access.
- Coordinate CHIP with Medicaid and school-based health programs to create seamless coverage for children and adolescents.
- Use enrollment data to target underserved communities and reduce geographic disparities in children’s health coverage.

**Methodology**

The study was conducted by the Birth Injury Lawyers Group, a nationwide network of lawyers dedicated to advocating for families affected by medical negligence.

Researchers analyzed 2024 CHIP enrollment figures from Medicaid.gov alongside U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for children under age 19. CHIP enrollment rates were calculated as the number of enrolled children per 1,000 children under 19 in each state to identify where children receive the strongest health coverage protection.

**Data Source:**

- CHIP Enrollment Data: <https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/program-information/medicaid-and-chip-enrollment-data/report-highlights>
- Population: <https://data.census.gov/table?q=population+by+age+by+state>
- Research Dataset: [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SqDh\_Ml1XIzybgKeK8kr\_yKtX-7d2sN46lqFVd9H3IM/edit?gid=0#gid=0](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SqDh_Ml1XIzybgKeK8kr_yKtX-7d2sN46lqFVd9H3IM/edit?gid=0#gid=0)
- Study By: [https://www.birthinjurylawyer.com](https://www.birthinjurylawyer.com/)

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