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The Pediatrician Shortage Hitting Medicaid Families—And Why It Affects Us All

A growing shortage of pediatricians willing to accept Medicaid leaves nearly half of U.S. children in care deserts, especially in urban and suburban areas. Medicaid’s lower reimbursement rates force many practices to operate on razor‑thin margins, prompting closures of pediatric services at hospitals. Bluebird Kids Health demonstrates that a value‑based model can boost Medicaid wellness‑visit completion to 90%, far above the national average. Experts say higher payment rates and broader adoption of value‑based care are essential to close the gap.