Montana Ranks 39th in the U.S. for Child Health Insurance Coverage: What This Means for Families

In the latest annual report on children’s well-being, Montana slipped two spots, now ranking 22nd in the U.S. According to the 2025 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, while economic conditions for children in Montana have improved, the situation regarding childhood health is troubling. The state has a higher uninsured rate for children at 7%, compared to the national average of 5%. This means around 17,000 kids in Montana lack health insurance.

Xanna Burg, the Kids Count director for the Montana Budget and Policy Center, noted that this data reflects a time when many kids lost Medicaid coverage. Specifically, 26,000 children were affected when continuous Medicaid enrollment ended. “We don’t yet have a clear picture of what this means for those children,” Burg said, highlighting the uncertainty in assessing the impact of these losses on children’s health.

The report shows an alarming backdrop of increasing mental health issues and data about infectious diseases. On the legislative front, potential cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP add to the concern for many families. Leslie Boissiere, vice president of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, emphasized the need for lawmakers to consider the data carefully before making decisions. “Policymakers need to look at food security and healthcare access in their communities to understand what drives child well-being,” she advised.

Despite the challenges, the report brings some positive news. From 2019 to 2023, childhood poverty in Montana declined from 15% to 12%, affecting about 28,000 kids. The percentage of children living in single-parent households also decreased, from 32% to 28% during the same period. These shifts suggest that efforts to support families are having an effect.

For further details on children’s well-being, you can access the full report here.

Studies indicate the importance of health insurance for childhood development. Research suggests that children with insurance are more likely to receive timely medical care, which reduces long-term health costs. As policymakers consider changes to crucial programs, these statistics underscore the ongoing challenges in securing a healthy future for all children in Montana.

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