A new report finds the number of children without health insurance in Indiana has increased. This is the second year the state has followed this national trend.

The percentage of uninsured children in Indiana went up from 5.9 percent in 2016 to 6.6 percent in 2018. Georgetown University Center for Children and Families executive director Joan Alker, says Indiana is one of 13 states with increases this significant.

"These findings should be a clear call to action among our political leaders if they care about children’s health," says Alker.

Reasons for the increase may include changes in the Affordable Care Act and delays in funding for children’s health insurance programs. Covering Kids and Families of Indiana's director of policy, Mark Fairchild says this can create communication challenges.

"Many people don’t bother looking at their coverage options because it sounds like it would be quite an obstacle to overcome to get their kid covered," says Fairchild.

Continuous coverage for children can improve long term health outcomes.

Contact Jill at jsheridan@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @JillASheridan.