URGENT: Medicaid Cuts Spark Catastrophic Rise in Infant Mortality Rates Across Mississippi.

BREAKING NEWS: Medicaid Cuts Spark Catastrophic Rise in Infant Mortality Rates Across Mississippi A devastating surge in infant mortality rates has been confirmed across the state of Mississippi, with nearly 10 babies dying for every 1,000 live births in 2024. The alarming numbers represent a significant increase from previous years and have left healthcare officials scrambling to address the crisis. According to Dr. Daniel Edney, public health officer in Mississippi, the situation has been dire since he began monitoring infant deaths several months ago. "It just kept climbing," he recalls. "We'd get another death coming in, another death coming in." The rise in infant mortality rates is particularly concerning for Black babies, who have seen a staggering 15.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024 - the highest rate in over a decade. Healthcare experts point to Medicaid cuts as a contributing factor to the crisis, citing reduced access to essential healthcare services and resources for vulnerable populations. As the situation continues to unfold, officials are working to implement emergency measures to address the crisis. However, the full extent of the impact remains unclear, and further developments are expected in the coming days. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Npr.*