HEALTHY FAMILIES
Advocating for families through support for healthy pregnancies and moms, children’s access to health coverage, and Early Childhood Intervention services for toddlers with disabilities.
We envision a Texas in which:
Moms from every racial and ethnic background receive the support they need before, during, and after their pregnancies to ensure they are healthy and their babies are healthy.
Children have the health coverage they need to stay healthy, learn in school, and grow up strong.
Infants and toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays have access to the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services they need to reach their potential.
FEATURED
The Legislature needs to fully fund Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) for infants and toddlers with Down syndrome, autism, speech delays, and other disabilities and developmental delays.
Healthy Families FAQs
How many Texas kids and adults are uninsured?
The US Census Bureau reports that in 2024, 13.6% of Texas children lacked health insurance — nearly double the national rate of 6.0%. The data also show 21.6% of Texas adults were uninsured, far worse than the national rate of 11.3%. Neighboring states — such as Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma — have much lower uninsured rates, according to Census data. Learn more.
How can Texas reduce the uninsured rate and connect more families to health insurance?
About half of Texas children without health insurance are eligible for Medicaid, so state leaders can reduce the uninsured rate by helping families connect to coverage they already qualify for. The story for adults is different. Because Texas has not implemented Medicaid expansion, most low-income adults are not eligible for insurance through Medicaid, with the exception of pregnant women, seniors, and Texans with profound disabilities.
What bills or funding did the Texas Legislature pass to support healthy families during the last legislative session?
During the 2025 legislative session, Texas lawmakers approved funding to improve the Medicaid and SNAP enrollment system, increase support for Early Childhood Intervention, and provide rural hospital grants. The Legislature also passed some targeted health bills, including HB 136 by Rep. Lacey Hull to support breastfeeding. Many other proposals did not pass. Learn more.
Our work on Healthy Families is led by Diana Forester, our Health Policy Director.
For more information, please contact her at dforester@txchildren.org.
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