National Survey Finds Broad Bipartisan Support Among Parents for Federal Action on Children's Health

October 5, 2026 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Parents and guardians are deeply concerned about children’s access to health care according to a national poll of likely voters released today from the Children’s Hospital Association (CHA). The poll found overwhelming support for federal action to strengthen pediatric mental health care, children’s hospitals, and the pediatric workforce.

The Children's Health Policy Pulse, a survey of 1,000 likely voters nationwide who are parents or guardians of children under 18, found broad agreement across party lines on the need for greater federal investment in children’s health. Among the findings, 84% of respondents support increased dedicated funding for pediatric mental health care, 80% support increased funding for children’s hospitals and children’s health, and 79% support increased funding to train more pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists.

Support for increased federal funding for children’s health and children's hospitals extends across party lines, including 71% of Republicans, 86% of Democrats, and 83% of swing voters. The findings reflect a clear bipartisan expectation among likely voters with children that federal policymakers protect and strengthen the medical care children and families rely on.

"Likely voters with children are sending policymakers a clear message: children’s health must be a national priority," said Matthew Cook, CEO of the Children's Hospital Association. “Regardless of political affiliation, families want their children to be able to access the right care when and where they need it—from mental health treatment to highly specialized pediatric services. Congress has an opportunity to respond by strengthening the hospitals and pediatric workforce and programs that children depend on."

Key findings from the survey include:

Children’s Hospitals and Coverage

• 86% of respondents expressed concern about insufficient funding for children's hospitals and health care programs.
• 85% are concerned about the impact of cuts to Medicaid and CHIP on children's access to care.
• 80% believe the federal government should increase funding for children's hospitals and children's health, while 77% support restoring the hundreds of billions of dollars in funding cuts.

Youth Mental Health

• 92% are concerned about the children's mental health crisis in America, while 93% believe it is important that children have access to pediatric mental health specialists.
• 91% believe mental health providers at children's hospitals are essential to addressing the crisis.
• 84% support increased dedicated federal funding for pediatric mental health care.

Pediatric Workforce

• 82% of parents are concerned about the national shortage of pediatric health care professionals.
• 84% expressed concern about the funding gap between the federal GME program and the CHGME program.
• 79% support increasing federal funding for CHGME to train more pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists.

CHA calls on Congress to protect Medicaid and CHIP coverage for children, preserve policies that support access to specialized pediatric care, strengthen CHGME funding, and expand dedicated federal investment in pediatric mental health care.

The full survey results are available here.

Methodology

The Children’s Health Policy Pulse was conducted online by LSG from April 15–22, 2026, among 1,000 likely voters nationwide who are parents or guardians of children under 18. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.