Kansas Children’s Uninsured Rate Exceeds National Rate for Second Consecutive Year

KHI to host discussion Nov. 5 in Topeka to hear from expert panel

5 Min Read

Oct 29, 2026

By

Kaci Cink, M.P.H., Viktoria Sterkhova, M.P.H., Wen-Chieh Lin, Ph.D.
A mother holds a child

TOPEKA, KANSAS, October 29, 2026 – New American Community Survey (ACS) data released Oct. 29 by the U.S. Census Bureau show Kansas children are more likely to lack health insurance than children nationwide — for the second consecutive year.

The rate of Kansas children without health insurance has historically been close to the national rate, but in 2024, the Kansas rate was higher than the U.S. rate. In 2025, according to the new data, 8.5 percent of Kansas children were uninsured, compared to 6.1 percent nationwide.

Kansas also had a higher uninsured rate compared to the U.S. among the overall population, 9.7 percent compared to 8.4 percent in 2025. The 2025 rate represents 28 million uninsured Americans. For this same time period, approximately 280,000 Kansans were uninsured.

Kansans making less than 138 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), the cutoff for Medicaid eligibility for adults age 19-64 in states that have expanded the program under the terms of the Affordable Care Act, also had an uninsured rate that was statistically higher than the national rate, at 18.3 percent in Kansas compared to 14.1 percent in the U.S.

“Health insurance coverage helps children and families access the health care they need,” said Kari Bruffett, KHI President and CEO. “The findings highlight what has become a persistent gap between Kansas and the nation, as well as continuing disparities in coverage within Kansas. Examining the factors contributing to these differences and identifying evidence-informed policy options are important steps toward improving access to care for Kansas families.”

Key information from the 2025 ACS data release:

  • Overall Health Insurance Coverage – In 2025, 9.7 percent of Kansans were uninsured, compared to 8.4 percent nationally. Approximately 280,000 Kansans lacked health insurance coverage, and the Kansas uninsured rate was statistically higher than the U.S. rate.
  • Kansas Children – Kansas children are more likely to be uninsured than their counterparts nationally for the second year in a row (8.5 percent in Kansas compared to 6.1 percent for the U.S.).
  • Young Adults – Kansans age 19-25 had a higher uninsured rate than their U.S. counterparts (16.4 percent compared to 14.9 percent).
  • Working-Age Adults – The uninsured rate for adults ages 19-64 in Kansas (13.2 percent) was higher than in the U.S. (11.8 percent).
  • Kansans With Low Income – Kansans living below 138 percent of the federal poverty level (the threshold to qualify for Medicaid eligibility in expansion states) were more likely to be uninsured than those with similar circumstances in the U.S. (18.3 percent in Kansas, compared to 14.1 percent in the U.S.).
  • Race and Ethnicity Disparities – Hispanic Kansans of any race (22.9 percent) and non-Hispanic White Kansans (6.7 percent) had higher uninsured rates than their U.S. counterparts (16.3 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively). Within Kansas, Hispanic Kansans of any race were more than three times as likely to be uninsured as non-Hispanic White Kansans (6.7 percent), and the uninsured rate for Black or African American Kansans (10.4 percent) was also higher than that of non-Hispanic White Kansans.

The latest information available reflects data collected in 2025, the first full year after Kansas completed its Medicaid unwinding process. The national unwinding period spanned from April 2023 through late June 2025, while Kansas completed its unwinding process in May 2024. Over the same period, enrollment on the federally facilitated health insurance marketplace increased.

“Behind every uninsured rate are Kansans who may face challenges getting the care they need,” said Kaci Cink, Senior Analyst at the Kansas Health Institute. “These disparities raise important questions about why some populations are more likely to be uninsured than others. By bringing people together to examine the data, share perspectives and discuss potential solutions, we can help inform decisions that improve access to coverage across Kansas.”

Join us for an in-person and online discussion on children without health insurance in Kansas.

WHAT:               Understanding the Rise in Uninsured Children in Kansas

WHEN:              10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5

WHERE:            Kansas Health Institute, 212 SW 8th Ave., Topeka (in-person seating is limited, media encouraged to attend, lunch included). Join virtually for the morning session only (10:30 a.m.- noon), register for the convening.

Figure 1. Percent Uninsured in Kansas and U.S. by Characteristics, 2025
Bar chart showing percent uninsured in Kansas and U.S. by characteristics, 2025.
Note: *Significant difference (p<0.05). The difference between estimates is statistically significant with 95 percent confidence when p<0.05 and is not significant with 95 percent confidence when p>0.05. Due to changes in the 2025 American Community Survey (ACS) health insurance question methodology, the U.S. Census Bureau advises that comparisons between 2025 estimates and estimates from earlier years be made with caution.
Source: Kansas Health Institute analysis of data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 1-year Estimates, Table S2701, 2025.

A note on the 2025 data

In the 2025 American Community Survey, the U.S. Census Bureau changed how the ACS survey asks about health insurance coverage, revising the question format, some response wording, and the order of answer choices. The U.S. Census Bureau advises caution when comparing 2025 estimates with earlier years, as a difference may reflect how people were asked about coverage rather than real change in coverage. For that reason, KHI is not comparing 2025 uninsured rates for Kansas with previous years.

Access the full American Community Survey 1-year Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Get Kansas-specific data and charts.

NOTE: The analysis uses data from the 2025 American Community Survey 1-year Estimates released Oct. 29, 2026. Estimates of insurance coverage this week may differ slightly between the ACS and CPS.

About Kansas Health Institute

The Kansas Health Institute supports effective policymaking through nonpartisan research, education and engagement. KHI believes evidence-based information, objective analysis and civil dialogue enable policy leaders to be champions for a healthier Kansas. Established in 1995 with a multiyear grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, KHI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization based in Topeka.

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