Cover All Kids

This is a part of TCI’s “Collective Agenda for Virginia’s Future.” Click here to start at the beginning.

Together, we can…

First published Nov. 2023; last updated Jan. 2026

The families of every child in Virginia should be able to access health care when needed without worrying that medical bills will impact their ability to pay for essentials like rent, food, or transportation.

Medical bills can cause a strain on any budget, but especially for our neighbors living paycheck to paycheck. Medicaid and CHIP covered nearly 709,000 children in Virginia at the start of 2026. Unfortunately, access to this affordable and comprehensive health coverage is still unattainable for families of some children in Virginia due to family income or simply due to immigration status requirements. Lack of access to preventative care and delays in medical treatment can lead to avoidable emergency department visits costing the state and Virginia families.

In a just and equitable Virginia, every child’s right to comprehensive and affordable health coverage transcends immigration status. We envision a future where families never have to choose between their child’s health and life’s necessities. We must tear down the barriers that deny coverage to 13,000 children, invest in their well-being, and unite as a community. Together, we can ensure every child receives the care they deserve, regardless of who they are or where they’re from.
Crimson S. | COSPU | Harrisonburg

Thousands of Virginia families face barriers to health care because they earn too much to qualify for CHIP or are barred from coverage due to outdated and backward eligibility rules. Certain Virginia lawmakers have voted down the opportunity to provide these children with coverage despite having the financial resources and opportunity to pass policies to fix this.

What Can We Do?

Virginia lawmakers should invest in the health and well-being of Virginia’s future generations. It is time to fund and vote for a policy to increase income eligibility for CHIP while creating a health coverage program available to all children from low and moderate-income families, regardless of immigration status.

Advance Commonsense Policies

Invest in a state-funded program to make coverage available to children regardless of immigration status.
Increase the maximum income threshold from 205% to 305% of the federal poverty level for children’s health coverage so more families with children can access affordable and comprehensive coverage. Only one state (ID) has a lower maximum income threshold than Virginia.
Provide dedicated funding for targeted outreach campaigns to enroll all eligible but not currently enrolled children in health coverage.

Learn More & Engage

Join the movement to Cover All Kids in Virginia led by the Healthcare for All Virginians Coalition. Consider joining one of the grassroots organizations that form the coalition’s base.
Sign your organization on as a Cover All Kids supporter using this form.
Share how you or a loved one has been impacted by lack of health coverage simply due to a child’s immigration status here.
Connect with organizations that support our immigrant neighbors, such as Hamkae Center, CASA, and Richmond Region LULAC.