The number of uninsured Arkansas children has doubled in the last decade. A new study reveals the rate of uninsured children had dropped to 4% by 2016, thanks largely to a concentrated effort on both the state and federal level. But, this past week, the release of the 2026 Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Book shows that rate now stands at 8%. Nationally, the percentage has remained steady at 6%.
The report tracks 16 indicators related to children’s health, education and economic well-being. During an appearance on the statewide program “Talk Business & Politics,” which aired on Sunday, June 14, The policy director for Arkansas Advocates for Children & Families (AACF), Christin Harper, spoke about the consequences of this increase.
As Harper explained, “So it’s super concerning, particularly for you kids who just have to go to a doctor more frequently. When you have health insurance that means you can get preventative care, developmental screenings, immunizations and other needs and medical care. And so, when you have that health coverage, you know, that’s just going to help with your short and long-term health outcomes, as well as protect that family from medical debts.”
On the child health metric alone, in the annual Data Book rankings, Arkansas ranked 48th in the nation and 43rd overall. The AACF is one of the 53 partner organizations throughout the country which helps track and compile the KIDS COUNT data. Keesa Smith-Brantley, The organization’s executive director since 2023, points to the number of children who remain uninsured years after the COVID-19 pandemic, during the unwinding process of Medicaid coverage once pandemic protections ended.
As Smith-Brantley explains, “What we believe this data is showing us is that when parents lost their insurance, they thought that their children were no longer eligible as well.” Yet Smith Brantley says many those children may still qualify for coverage under the ARKids First program.
