An estimated 46,000 children in Mississippi didn’t have health insurance last year according to a new report released by Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. The study says it's a national trend with Mississippi experiencing one of the largest jumps in uninsured children at 24 percent since 2016. Linda Dixon is Health Law Director with Mississippi Center for Justice.
“We know that research shows that children with health coverage are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, and grow up to be healthy and productive adults. Now this data proves that it’s more important than ever to help Mississippi’s children and families gain access to quality, affordable health coverage,” said Dixon.
Dixon says it’s too soon to determine the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the number of uninsured children and those whose families have been impacted by job losses. But she expects even more children to be without health coverage now.
“We must pursue efforts to expand Medicaid in Mississippi, enroll children in CHIP and address health disparities which will go a long way to improving the lives of children and families across Mississippi,” said Dixon.
According to the state Division of Medicaid website, there are 48,000 children covered by CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Mississippi’s governor has said he’s against expanding Medicaid.
