A group of Washington University researchers in St. Louis says rural Missourians are far more likely to be uninsured than those in cities.
A new report using post-pandemic U.S. Census data shows nearly 10% of rural Missourians lack health coverage, compared to about 7% in urban areas. The 3% gap is a far wider rural versus urban gap than the national average of 0.6%.
The report links the gap to fewer rural jobs offering insurance, health insurance premiums and disability rates tend to be higher in rural areas, and recent drops in Medicaid enrollment after pandemic-era protections ended.
Researchers say public programs now play a larger role in covering rural residents.
Meanwhile, the analysis says Missouri’s overall uninsured rate closely mirrors the national average. In 2024, 7.6% of Missourians were uninsured, slightly lower than the 8.2% national rate.
To view the report, click here.
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