HealthNews Dozen: States with Highest Rate of Medically Uninsured

Yesterday’s census report delivered data on the nation’s medically uninsured, in a very detailed way, and while the snapshot doesn’t paint a very pretty picture for most of the country, it’s not near as dire as today’s reality. The reason: the facts and figures are from 2007. In the intervening years the country has been on the precipice of a recession and millions have lost their jobs and their health coverage, meaning that the picture has worsened.

How much it has worsened in the last three years is up for debate and conjecture. Last September, the Census Bureau released its annual report on poverty, income, and health insurance. That report, based on 2008 figures, pegged the number of Americans without health insurance coverage at 46.3 million, up from 45.7 million in 2007. That means we are probably approaching the 50 million mark in 2010.

The report that came out yesterday can distill the data in numerous ways, not only on a state level, but county level as well. It can also be manipulated by income level, or based on race or sex (which can be a real eye opener). On a state-by-state basis, the 12 states with the highest rate of uninsured are primarily in the South and West, findings that were similar to that of a Center for Disease Control (CDC) report on the nation’s health insurance coverage. Eight of those 12 weigh in with over 20% of their population lacking basic medical coverage.

1. Texas (26.8%)
2. New Mexico (26.7%)
3. Florida (24.2%)
4. Louisiana (22.8%)
5. Arizona (21.1%)
6. Nevada (20.7%)
7. Mississippi (20.5%)
8. California (20.2%)
9. Arkansas (19.9%)
10. Oklahoma (19.4%)
11. Alaska (19.4%)
12. Georgia (19.0%)

At the other end of the spectrum, four states proudly show uninsured rates under 10%: Massachusetts (7.8%), Hawaii (9%, Minnesota (9.6%), and Wisconsin (9.7%).

The summary is compiled using data from population estimates and information from federal tax returns, the food stamp program, Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) records.