Covering The Uninsured In 2008
Health Policy Fact of the Day
Among young adults ages 19-26, full-time students are half as likely as nonstudents to be uninsured, but less than one in five is a student. Commentary
Although the percentage of Americans without insurance fell slightly from 2006 to 2007, the share getting private insurance coverage fell, and the share getting public insurance rose. Without the limited safety net of the current Medicaid/SCHIP programs, the rate of uninsurance would likely have been higher, particularly for low-income adults. In all, 45.7 million people still have no insurance. Featured Research
People uninsured for any part of 2008 spend about $30 billion out of pocket and receive approximately $56 billion in uncompensated care while uninsured. Government programs finance about 75 percent of uncompensated care. Read more In the News Massachusetts Has Best Rate of Uninsured In The Nation (EMaxHealth.com, Aug. 30, 2008) Ranks of Uninsured Fell in '07, Census Says (Wall Street Journal, August 27) Uninsured pay $30 billion for health care (CNNMoney.com, Aug. 25, 2008)  Immediate IssuesHealth Insurance Coverage of Young Adults: Issues and Broader ConsiderationsNearly one in three young adults ages 19 to 26 lacks health insurance coverage. This age group is at high risk of lacking insurance coverage because of low access to employer-sponsored insurance and subsidized public coverage. Given that so many uninsured young adults are low-income, significant public subsidies will be needed to address their uninsurance problem. Some policy options available include public program expansions, tax credits, direct subsidies, or individual mandates. Ultimately, decisions about allocating greater public subsidies for covering young adults or imposing mandates should be made in the context of considerations about broader health care reform. Read more Other Immediate Issues: |
All HPC Research Comment on "Making Work Pay II" (Series/New Safety Net) Author(s): Jack A. Meyer Publication Date: July 16, 2008 Comment on "Making Work Pay II" (Series/New Safety Net) Author(s): Len Nichols Publication Date: July 16, 2008 On the Road to Universal Coverage (Research Report) Author(s): Sharon K. Long Publication Date: June 03, 2008 Health Insurance Coverage of Young Adults (Policy Briefs/Timely Analysis Health Policy Issues) Publication Date: June 01, 2008 Modeling Alternative Designs for a Revised PPS for Skilled Nursing Facilities (Research Report) Publication Date: June 01, 2008 Commentary on HSA Substantiation (Commentary) Author(s): Lisa Clemans-Cope Publication Date: May 22, 2008 Health Savings Accounts and High Deductible Health Insurance Plans: Implications for those with High Medical Costs, the Low-Income, and the Uninsured (Testimony) Author(s): Linda J. Blumberg Publication Date: May 14, 2008 Final Report of the Evaluation of the San Mateo County Children's Health Initiative (Research Report) Publication Date: May 01, 2008 |
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