Elisabeth Wright Burak
@ewburak.bsky.social
Research faculty, maternal and early childhood health policy Georgetown University Center for Children and Families (CCF) based at the McCourt School of Public Policy. Medicaid/CHIP policy + interesting (to me) miscellany.
Our latest @georgetownccf.bsky.social report looks at uninsured rates for children under 3. The # is going up, and this is before Medicaid enrollment losses post-unwinding which have been huge. States in blue have highest rates. No baby should be uninsured. ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/08/18/h...
Our new issue brief: How Are Parents Impacted By Medicaid Work Reporting Requirements? ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/08/26/h... via @GeorgetownCCF 👀 In 27 states + DC custodial parents should NOT lose Medicaid due to work reporting requirements coming 1/1/27.👀 Spread the word. Ask your state.
From @ewburak.bsky.social how pregnant & postpartum #Medicaid enrollees could lose their coverage due to work reporting requirements. While they are supposed to be exempt, they could fall through the cracks and get disenrolled due to the complex/onerous process: ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/07/22/n...
The Washington Post editorialized in favor of Medicaid work requirements based on a garbage paper by the Foundation for Govt Accountability - a new low for the Post’s editorial board. FGA is the leading proponent of work requirements at state an fed level.
Federal law guarantees 12 months of continuous coverage in Medicaid and CHIP for children. Preventing young children from falling through the cracks as states implement HR1 requires the attention of already-overextended state officials. w/ @joanalker1.bsky.social ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/06/26/y...
Young Children’s Uninsurance is On the Rise – What Can Be Done to Protect Child Health?
Earlier this month, we released an analysis of uninsurance trends that found that young children were becoming uninsured at a faster rate than their school-aged peers. The trend is alarming and predat...
ccf.georgetown.edu
Schools are focusing on two key priorities: teaching children to read and reducing high rates of chronic absenteeism that undermine learning. Both goals could be scuttled by an alarming increase in the number of young children who lack access to healthcare. @ewburak.bsky.social #keepkidscovered
1.2M Kids Under 6 Have No Insurance. That’s Harmful to Their Health and Futures
Burak: New research shows 220,000 children lost coverage from 2022-24, with dire consequences for childhood literacy and chronic absenteeism.
the74million.org
“I think this is the time when child advocates do what they do best.” - @ewburak.bsky.social → Read our new blog on how the volatile federal policy environment is shaping child advocacy in 2026.
Real Risks, Political Noise, and Opportunity - Partnership for America's Children
Network members joined three expert panelists in January for a Partnership Peer Exchange focused on how the federal landscape will impact child advocacy in 2026 – nationally, in the states, and…
foramericaschildren.org
Nearly two weeks after her release from immigration detention, Nashville journalist Estefany Rodríguez has filed a first-person account in federal court that further details allegations her arrest was in retaliation for her reporting on local immigration enforcement actions.
Nashville journalist released from ICE detention details retaliation claims • Tennessee Lookout
Nashville journalist Estefany Rodríguez filed a first-person account in court detailing allegations her arrest was retaliation for her reporting.
tennesseelookout.com
Great analysis on CHIP HSIs and available spending from mu colleagues: ccf.georgetown.edu/2026/03/25/i...
Is Your State Leaving Money on the Table? How CHIP Health Service Initiatives Can Help States Support Children’s Access to Care
At a time when states are facing growing fiscal pressures and increasing strain on health systems, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Health Services Initiatives (HSIs) represent an often ...
ccf.georgetown.edu
“I don’t want to be in this place I want to go to my school.” - 7 year old imprisoned by ICE for 70 days in a concentration camp in Texas. Today, after @propublica.org published this story, the camp was raided to confiscate letters from the children. www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
DHS is holding a 2-month-old BABY at a detention facility in Texas. Last night, Juan Nicolás was rushed to the hospital after choking on his own vomit & being unable to breathe. This demands accountability — not a blank check for more cruelty.
Joaquin Castro@joaquincastrotx.bsky.social · 7mo agoI have an update on Juan Nicolás, the 2-month-old baby detained at Dilley, and his mother.
This report from Children's Equity Project on the scars of family separation in immigration is powerful and devastating - we owe it to all children to understand this issue and fight for better. cep.asu.edu/the-scars-of...
The Scars of Family Detention and Separation in the U.S. Immigration System | The Children's Equity Project
cep.asu.edu
I spent my childhood inside of American concentration camps. I know one when I see one. And that is what ICE is building.
Thread: For the first time since June 2024 the Congressional Budget Office issued this week detailed baseline estimates for #Medicaid and for health insurance coverage. Here are a few takeaways: (1/x)
Rural health transformation fund” in HR1 was peddled as saving rural hospitals from draconian federal Medicaid cuts. Yet a rural hospital in Idaho is already on the brink and the fund won’t save them And this in Sen. Crapo Ch. Senate Finance Ctte’s home state www.eastidahonews.com/2026/01/perf...
'Perfect storm': Why Teton Valley Health Care chose to lay off staff, close infusion clinic - East Idaho News
DRIGGS — Facing difficult decisions as state and federal funding stalls, Teton Valley Health Care administrators made the decision to lay off dozens of employees and close an infusion clinic. In all, ...
eastidahonews.com
Philanthropic organizations focused on early childhood development explain why the abusive immigration enforcement tactics must end now. These harmful practices can permanently alter a child’s life trajectory.
Children Are Being Harmed. Our Responsibility Is Clear. - Early Childhood Funders Collaborative
Children Are Being Harmed. Our Responsibility Is Clear. ______________________________________________________________________________________ A Statement from ECFC Executive Director Shannon L. Rudis...
ecfunders.org
New year, same frustrations. Per CMS, states can now opt out of reporting on immunization rate for kids covered by Medicaid/CHIP. 👇
a little boy is running through a hallway and the word nope is written on the floor .
ALT: a little boy is running through a hallway and the word nope is written on the floor .
media.tenor.com
Joan Alker@joanalker1.bsky.social · 9mo ago😱YIKES New guidance from the Trump Administration's CMS cites Secretarial discretion to DROP mandatory state reporting of immunization rates for children + pregnant adults covered by Medicaid/CHIP This is close to 1/2 the children in the US and more than 40% of births medicaid.gov/federal-policy…
Senators Crapo & Cassidy have now released bill language for their health "plan". Besides nothing on expiring Marketplace credits and HSAs, it adds 3 harmful #Medicaid cuts from House version of H.R. 1 that were dropped in final law due to Senate rules (1/x): www.finance.senate.gov/download/hea...
[2025-12-08] Download: Health Care Freedom for Patients Act | The United States Senate Committee on Finance | The United States Senate Committee on Finance
[2025-12-08] Download: Health Care Freedom for Patients Act | The United States Senate Committee on Finance
finance.senate.gov
Proud to be a part of 14 of @georgetownccf.bsky.social's 20 year history. vimeo.com/1143102491?f...
vimeo.com
A few thoughts on new Medicaid work req guidance from CMS Topline it says v. little so states remain in a bind with huge demands and little guidance to go on. But some takeaways: 1. Confirms that states will have access to 90/10 fed match for new IT systems (vendors are 😀). 🧵
Joan Alker@joanalker1.bsky.social · 10mo agoThe Trump Administration has released preliminary guidance on mandatory Medicaid work requirements. We will read and share thoughts soon here and on our website ccf.georgetown.edu medicaid.gov/federal-poli...
New evidence on how ICE is affecting student learning https://drive.google.com/file/d/1erU5Oe0vJYdVjuqQi4sfhUGxS0BGjWl8/view?usp=drivesdk
My colleagues @ewburak.bsky.social and Kay Johnson sobering outlook on the many threats to federal funding to promote maternal and infant health. ccf.georgetown.edu/2025/11/04/t...
Threats to Maternal and Infant Health Won’t End After Shutdown Resolved
The current federal government shutdown is driven by failure of the Congress to finalize this year’s federal budget appropriations or adopt a Continuing Resolution (CR). The shutdown is already imp…
ccf.georgetown.edu
“.. in a group Signal chat, .. he wrote in part: ‘I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys.’” @reuters.com #Chicago www.reuters.com/world/us/bor...
My new blog w/ @ewburak.bsky.social Actions speak louder than words when it comes to caring about kids covered by Medicaid. Trump Administration Blocks States from Keeping Babies and Toddlers Connected to Health Coverage ccf.georgetown.edu/2025/08/08/t... via @georgetownccf.bsky.social
Trump Administration Blocks States from Keeping Babies and Toddlers Connected to Health Coverage
On Sunday, the Administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Dr. Mehmet Oz, appeared on Face the Nation. He was pressed repeatedly on Medicaid cuts by Host Margaret…
ccf.georgetown.edu
Actions speak louder than words. Latest w/@joanalker1.bsky.social on CMS reversal of 1115s for continuous eligibility from birth to age 6. ccf.georgetown.edu/2025/08/08/t...
Trump Administration Blocks States from Keeping Babies and Toddlers Connected to Health Coverage
Last Sunday the Administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Dr. Mehmet Oz, appeared on Face the Nation. He was pressed repeatedly on Medicaid cuts by Host Margare…
ccf.georgetown.edu
@citizencohn.bsky.social does an amazing job explaining how harmful a policy choice it was that the Trump Administration ended continuous coverage for babies and toddlers. A truly terrible decision for America's families. Trump Isn’t Done Cutting Your Health Care www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-isnt...
Trump Isn’t Done Cutting Your Health Care
Now it’s low-income kids that Republicans are targeting.
thebulwark.com
👀In the name of “protecting vulnerable Americans” the Trump Administration will rip away Medicaid coverage from babies and toddlers👀 CMS announces Medicaid demos that 8 states are implementing to cover babies and young children continuously w/o gaps due to red tape will no longer be allowed.
With the Big, Beautiful Bill, Each Taxpayer Can Now Help Sponsor a Billionaire
With the Big, Beautiful Bill, You Can Now Sponsor a Billionaire of Your Choosing
"My fellow Americans: When you pay taxes, which would you rather support? Cancer research, or getting one guy a really big boat?" @petridishes writes:
theatlantic.com
