In Arkansas, more children are losing health insurance. A new report by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families shows that from 2022 to 2024, the number of uninsured kids in our state jumped from 44,000 to 57,000. That’s 13,000 more Arkansas children without access to the doctor when they get sick and the prescriptions they need to stay healthy. And that’s thousands more families one emergency away from crushing medical debt. 

The analysis shows Arkansas had the fifth highest increase in the country. Our uninsured child rate rose from 5.9% to 7.7% in just two years. That’s the highest it’s been in a decade. For families already struggling to make ends meet, even a short gap in coverage can be catastrophic when parenting kids with asthma, mental health needs, or simply taking care of the common falls and sniffles of childhood. 

Arkansas families can’t afford this. When kids lose coverage, they miss out on check-ups and vaccinations, fall behind in school, and face long-term health challenges that follow them into adulthood. Reversing this trend isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s how we build stronger families, healthier communities, and a better future for everyone in our state. 

Instead of addressing this crisis, Congress just passed H.R. 1 (also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”). The bill will slash nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next decade, raise premiums for those who access health care coverage on the marketplace, and cut health coverage for many legally present immigrant kids and families. Arkansas will lose billions of dollars that keep people covered and keep our hospitals and doctors’ offices open. Putting kids’ health on the chopping block to give tax breaks to corporations hurts everyone.  

Children’s health care is one of the best investments we can make. Kids with coverage grow up healthier, do better in school, and contribute more to our economy as adults. No matter how we identify politically, ensuring every Arkansas child has health insurance should be a shared priority. 

We’re fighting to make sure no child in Arkansas goes without health care. Connect with us to get involved and stay up to date on the latest advocacy efforts. Together, we can get our kids back on track.