Pulse brief · 1 cited source · August 7, 2026
Medicaid Coverage Still Supports Child Care Workers
A Georgetown update says Medicaid covered over 26 percent of child care workers in 2024 and identifies insurance gaps.
Georgetown's Center for Children and Families says Medicaid covered over 26 percent of child care workers in 2024, and the share was a third or more in twelve states. The brief says about 43 percent of early educator families rely on one or more public safety net program such as Medicaid or SNAP. More than 1 in 10 child care workers across the country are uninsured, it says; among the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid, the rate nearly doubles. Georgetown attributes the broader crisis to workforce shortage caused by burn out and low wages, lack of affordability, waitlists, limited hours, and safety concerns. Nearly half of surveyed educators reported feeling more burned out this year, and 22 percent indicated they were considering leaving the field.
Evidence
Each statement shown below is a verified claim this source supports.
- Medicaid continues to support early childhood educators in a significant way.
- Georgetown's brief was re-published with new 2024 data.
- Medicaid covered over 26 percent of child care workers in 2024.
- More than 1 in 10 child care workers across the country are uninsured.
- The Medicaid-covered share was a third or more in twelve states: CA, IN, LA, MT, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI, SD, VT, and WV.
- About 43 percent of early educator families rely on one or more public safety net program such as Medicaid or SNAP.
- Among the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid, the uninsured rate nearly doubles.
- The Georgetown brief identifies workforce shortage caused by burn out and low wages, lack of affordability, waitlists, limited hours, and safety concerns as factors in the child care crisis.
- Nearly half of surveyed educators reported feeling more burned out this year.
- 22 percent indicated they were considering leaving the field.