Child advocates in Mississippi said they plan to work with lawmakers and communities to improve health care access for children after a recent report found more than 5% of children under 6 in the state do not have health insurance.

The report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families found nearly 220,000 additional babies, toddlers and preschoolers nationwide lost coverage between 2022 and 2024.

Linda Dixon, health justice director at the Mississippi Center for Justice, said Mississippi saw a sharp increase in the uninsured rate during the Medicaid “unwinding” following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Gaps in healthcare early in life can really hold kids back before they even start school,” Dixon explained. “With consistent access to healthcare, of course, there's a better chance of detecting developmental delays and other health issues that can even affect children's ability to learn.”

Dixon argued the increase in the uninsured rate is a warning sign Mississippi is going in the wrong direction. She added policy changes could improve conditions for children and help families avoid costly medical expenses.

“Making enrollment easier, investing in outreach and expanding Medicaid to cover more parents,” Dixon outlined. “I think all those factors would significantly reduce the number of uninsured kids and keep the whole family healthier overall.”

Elisabeth Wright Burak, senior fellow at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, said the rate of uninsured children under 6 is now at its highest level in nearly a decade.

“Since 2025, we've seen nearly 2 million kids lose Medicaid coverage or be disenrolled from Medicaid,” Burak reported. “We're concerned that this could be a harbinger for what's to come.”

Burak contended national and state policymakers need to keep a close eye on health coverage trends, especially for young children.

Source: Public News Service