A new report from the Georgetown Center for Children and Families finds that the number of uninsured children has continued its alarming rise across the country–as well as in Ohio–after years of progress. The number of uninsured children in the United States increased by more than 400,000 between 2016 and 2018 bringing the total to over 4 million uninsured children in the nation.

The coverage losses were most pronounced in 15 states in particular, including Ohio. Just one state–North Dakota–saw the number of uninsured children decrease.

Overall, the number of uninsured children nationally increased by 400,000, bringing the total to over four million.

In the Buckeye State, the percentage of uninsured children rose for the second consecutive year after nearly a decade of progress.

It’s imperative local, state, and federal policymakers work hard to reverse these trends in Ohio and across the country to ensure improved health access for children.