New report shows 1.4 million Coloradans were uninsured during 2006-2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
9.20.07
CONTACT:
Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
Ben Davis
303.522.6790
Families, USA
Dave Lemmon
Geraldine Henrich-Koenis
Bob Meissner
202.628.3030
The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative calls for immediate and effective solutions to state healthcare crisis
Denver, CO – Approximately 1.4 million Coloradans—more than one out of three people (34.2 percent) under 65 years of age—were uninsured at some point of time during 2006-2007, according to a report released today by the health consumer organization Families USA. Nationally, 89.6 million people were uninsured during this period. The report, based mainly on Census Bureau data, showed that two-thirds of uninsured Coloradans lacked coverage for six months or more.
The number of states where more than one-third of non-elderly people went without health insurance for all or part of a two-year period more than doubled—rising from nine states in 1999-2000 to 20 states plus the District of Columbia in 2006-2007. Texas had the highest rate with 45.7 percent of the non-elderly population uninsured. The other states are: New Mexico (44.3%); Arizona (41.8%); California (40.5%); Florida (40.1%); Mississippi (38.7%); Nevada (38.4%); Louisiana (38.1%); Oklahoma (37.7%); Georgia (37.6%); South Carolina (37.4%); Arkansas (37.2%); Utah (35.2%); Alabama (35.1%); the District of Columbia (35.1%); West Virginia (35.1%); Alaska (34.8%); North Carolina (34.6%); Oregon (34.6%); Colorado (34.2%); and Montana (33.9%).
“The huge number of people without health coverage over the past two years helps to explain why health care has become a top issue in Colorado” said Dede de Percin, Executive Director of the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI). “When are we going to hear this persistent fire alarm in our healthcare system for what it is: a public call for help from our state’s businesses, healthcare providers, and consumers."
The report shows that four out of five of the uninsured (79.3%) were in working families: 70.6 percent were employed full-time, and 8.7 percent were employed part-time. In addition, nearly every age group was affected. Of the total 89.6 million uninsured, 64.2 million were between 18 and 64 years of age. More than one-third (34.9%) were ages 25 to 44—the age group that makes up the largest percentage of the uninsured.
The report also documents the large increase in the number of people who have experienced a loss or lack of health coverage. In the two period of 1999-2000, 72.5 million went without health coverage – more than 17 million fewer than the people experiencing a lack of coverage in 2006-2007.
“These trends document the consequences of inaction,” said Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families, USA. “The number of uninsured has reached crisis proportions that must be addressed by the President and Congress to ensure that health coverage is available and affordable for all.”
Although nearly half of the uninsured were non-Hispanic whites, the report found that there were huge disparities in the uninsured rate based on race and ethnicity. Among people under 65 years of age, approximately 26.0 percent of non-Hispanic whites were uninsured in the past two years, compared to 44.5 percent for non-Hispanic blacks, and 60.7 percent for Hispanics.
The Families USA report was based on data from the Census Bureau’s annual Current Population Survey (CPS) and the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). The data was compiled with the assistance of the Lewin Group. For this analysis, Families USA examined trends in health insurance coverage from 1999-2000 to 2006-2007.
For a copy of the report please visit our Web site at www.familiesusa.org or at www.cohealthiniative.org
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The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative (CCHI) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization working towards access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Coloradans. For more information, please visit www.cohealthinitiative.org
Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.
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