The number of uninsured Arkansans decreased by nearly 25,000 from 2021 to 2022, according to data from the Small Area Health Insurance Estimates program released July 25 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Significant disparities in uninsured rates exist across the state, however, with a handful of counties seeing increases.

Arkansas reduced its uninsured rate among nonelderly individuals from 18.8% in 2013, before the major provisions of the Affordable Care Act took effect and Medicaid expansion coverage began in the state, to 10% — slightly above the national average of 9.5% — in 2022. In comparison, neighboring states had varied rates in 2022: Louisiana at 8.3%, Missouri at 10.2%, Tennessee at 11.1%, Mississippi at 13.1%, Oklahoma at 14.3%, and Texas at 18.8% (the highest rate in the country).

County-level uninsured rates in Arkansas in 2022 ranged from 7.1% in Grant County to 15.5% in Sevier County. Decreases have been especially large in some counties, such as Searcy County, where the uninsured rate dropped from 25% in 2013 to 9.2% in 2022 — a 63.2% decrease.