Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-10-2025
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Public Policy Leadership
First Advisor
Melissa Bass
Second Advisor
Dominic Novelli
Third Advisor
Jennifer Parsons
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
As Mississippians continue to be one of the unhealthiest populations in the U.S. and the rate at which they are able to access health insurance remains low, it becomes more important than ever to understand what barriers are preventing them from gaining access to health insurance. This thesis will specifically explore what barriers are preventing access to health insurance in Mississippi, identify common factors that are preventing this access, and recommend policy solutions based on the results. To gain a better understanding of barriers preventing access to health insurance in Mississippi, I interviewed six healthcare professionals who work in Mississippi. From these interviews I found five themes: administrative barriers, low health literacy and educational barriers, provider shortages and workforce distribution, inadequate coverage, and chronic disease burden. I used research from these six interviews, background research, and my literature review to develop three policy recommendations: Expand Medicaid coverage in Mississippi, increase investments in rural healthcare infrastructure, and develop statewide health literacy and public health education programs. Adopting these three policies would begin the long process of tearing down the barriers that currently exist to prevent Mississippians from accessing health insurance.
Recommended Citation
Tickner, Robert D. IV, "An Investigation into Barriers Preventing Access to Health Insurance in Mississippi" (2025). Honors Theses. 3273.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3273
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