In this issue of Pediatric Clinics of North America, guest editors Drs. Angelo P. Giardino, Alison Galbraith, Jeffrey B. Anderson, and Renee Turchi bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Child Healthcare Financing: A Primer, Part I. As pediatricians confront mounting challenges in delivering equitable, sustainable care amid shifting health policy, rising behavioral health needs, and evolving payment models, these review articles offer a timely and relevant overview of the diverse and complex financing structures that underpin children’s healthcare in the U.S. Covering Medicaid, employer-sponsored insurance, alternate payment models, and safety-net systems like FQHCs and children’s hospitals, this issue also highlights behavioral health integration and care for vulnerable populations. Readers will come away with a deeper understanding of how health financing directly shapes access, quality, and coordination of pediatric care-and how emerging models such as value-based care and population health strategies may better align with the holistic needs of children and families.
