Missouri’s youngest children are losing health care coverage at an alarming rate, according to an analysis released by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families.
Between 2016 and 2018, Missouri saw a significant increase in both the number and rate of uninsured young children. In fact, the state’s 1.7 percentage point increase in the rate of uninsured young kids (from 3.6 to 5.3%) was the highest in the country. The number of young, uninsured Missouri children jumped 46%.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 15 well child visits before age 6, and those visits are more concentrated in the first two years. In addition to vaccinations and early preventive care, developmental screenings provided at the visits can detect any delays and allow for early intervention.
While the uninsured rate has been increasing, Missouri has been experiencing issues with its Medicaid program. As a result of information technology changes and new renewal procedures implemented in 2018, about 100,000 children have lost Medicaid and CHIP coverage in Missouri over the past two years – despite many of those children still being eligible for services. What’s more, the 2018 Census data used in the report may not fully reflect the extent of Missouri children’s coverage losses, as many families may have lost coverage after the survey occurred.
At 5.3%, Missouri’s uninsured rate for kids under 6 is significantly higher than the national average. The study also showed that states that refused to expand Medicaid lost coverage had higher and more rapidly increasing rates of uninsured young children.
