Trends in the Uninsured: Impact and Implications of the Current Economic Environment

Trends in the Uninsured: Impact and Implications of the Current Economic Environment Len Nichols, Ph.D. Vice President Center for Studying Health System Change

Uninsurance and Unemployment Rates Note: Data on uninsurance rates for 1999 and 2000 are not directly comparable to prior years due to a change in the survey instrument. SOURCE: Uninsurance rates: Employee Benefits Research Institute analysis of the 1988-1999 March Supplements to the Current Population Survey (1987-1998 data years) and U.S. Census Bureau Current Population Reports, 2000 (1999-2000 data years); Unemployment rates: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Own vs. Dependent Coverage SOURCE: Employee Benefits Research Institute analysis of the 1988-2000 March Supplements to the Current Population Survey.

Hispanics 31% Blacks 17% Whites 10% All Adults 16% All Children 9% Poor 32% Near Poor 25% 2-4*poverty 12% Above 4*poverty 6% South 17% West 16% NE 11% Midwest 10% Who Is Likely to Be Uninsured? Source: 2000-2001 Community Tracking Household Survey

Who Lost Coverage in the Last Recession? • Whites • High Income (above 4*poverty) • All regions but the Northeast Source: analysis of Current Population Survey, 1992 vs. 1990

Some Facts About the 39 Million Uninsured Percent of Uninsured With Access To… Percent Employment Medicaid/ Income of uninsured Sponsored SCHIP Poverty 30% 12% 36% 1-2*poverty 30% 36% 24% 2-4*poverty 27% 46% 9% 4*poverty + 13% 55% 1% Overall 100% 31% 20% Source: analysis of 1999 CPS data, non-elderly population

Implications for State and Local Policymakers

Is There an End in Sight?

Trends in the Uninsured: Impact and Implications of the Current Economic Environment