Research shows that the first six years of a child’s life are important for their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development. But a report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families shows the number of children in Arkansas under the age of six without health insurance is increasing. Arkansas had the sixth highest rate of uninsurance out of 45 states in the study. Camille Richoux with Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families says doctor’s visits during the first few years of a child’s life are important for preventative care.
Audio : “Early diagnosis of issues, everything from speech therapy to occupational therapy, vaccinations that help them grow up to be healthy kids and adults.”
Richoux says Arkansas was making progress in increasing the number of insured children, but it appears the state is losing ground. Nationwide, uninsured rates are higher for children of color. American Indian and Alaska Native children under age six have the highest rate of uninsurance of any racial or ethnic group. Elisabeth Wright Burak with Georgetown University Center for Children and Families expects the trend to worsen as the Trump administration adds more barriers to health care coverage…