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We pay the most & cover the least

Considering the high level of spending on health care – estimated at 4.3 times the amount spent on national defense[1] – the US lags behind in providing health care access and coverage to all citizens. The percent of people uninsured in the United States increased from 15.6 percent in 2004 to 15.9 percent in 2005 – the equivalent of 45.6 million uninsured Americans![2] And how did Texas rank? Last – with an uninsured rate of 24.5 percent[3] (30% among adults under age 65[4]) – almost one in four citizens and the highest in the nation. In 2005 247.3 million people had some form of health insurance, with 67.7 percent enrolled in any private insurance plan (including employer-based plans) and 27.3 percent enrolled in any public insurance program.[5]

Where you live matters

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Health Insurance Coverage analysis shows that access to health insurance in the United States varies by region of residence, socioeconomic status, and race (see Chart below).[6] While the rate of uninsured in 2005 was the lowest in the Midwest (11.9 percent) and the Northeast (12.3 percent), the South and West both experienced hikes in their rate of uninsured from the previous year (18.2-18.6 percent in the South and 17.4–18.1 percent in the West).[7]

White, Wealthy Older Adults more likely to be insured

Higher income also increased the likelihood of being insured – among households with annual incomes of $25,000 or less, 24.4 percent were uninsured as opposed to 8.2 percent in households with annual incomes of $75,000 or more.[8] The rate of insured also increased among children from 2004-2005 (10.8-11.2 percent) and children in poverty were more likely to be uninsured than the population of all children.[9] Race also made a difference – Hispanics reported the highest uninsured rate at 32.7 percent, followed by African Americans at 19.6 percent, Asians at 17.9 percent, and Whites (non-Hispanic) at 11.3 percent.[10] Furthermore the foreign born population had an uninsured rate two and half times that of the native born population.[11] The likelihood of being uninsured also varied by age group. One in four 25-34 year olds and a little less than one in three 18-24 year olds were uninsured during all or part of the year in 2005.[12]

Census Bureau Chart of Uninsured Rates Organized by Categories of Age, Race, and Socioeconomic Status

Source: Income, Population, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2005. US Census Bureau, August 2006: p. 22, 23 July 2007

<http://www.census.gov/prod/2006pubs/p60-231.pdf>.

** Click on image to access the Report - go to page 22 for the full chart **