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5.4.4 Total Number of Uninsured and Share of the Overall Population who are Uninsured
Why is this important?
Individuals and families lacking health insurance are vulnerable to a dangerous combination of health and financial crises. In the United States most working adults have health insurance through their employers. Seniors (ages 65 and over) nearly always receive Medicare coverage. Low-income children are usually covered by Medicaid, which in Washington State is called Apple Health for Kids. Due to the Affordable Care Act, many changes have occurred regarding access to health care, not the least of which is that most low-income adults are now eligible for Medicaid. More information on the changes occurring with the Washington State Health Care Authority – Apple Health can be accessed here.
Compared to people with insurance, the uninsured population has compromised health because they generally: receive less preventive care; are diagnosed with diseases at more advanced disease stages; and once diagnosed, tend to receive less therapeutic care and have higher mortality rates. The billions of dollars in costs for uncompensated care for the uninsured are indirectly passed on to funders of public programs and participants in private health plans.
This indicator measures both the estimated number and share of the total population of Grant County who currently do not have health insurance coverage. Washington State is offered as a benchmark.
According to the US Census Bureau, the pandemic made the collection of accurate one-year estimates for the American Community Survey (ACS) impossible in 2020. Five-year estimates might be available for popular series in early 2022.
Where are we?
During 2023 in Grant County, the estimated number of people who did not have health insurance was 15,317, decreasing from 17,059, or by 10.2%, in 2009.
By comparison during 2023, the estimated share of the total population who did not have health insurance in:
- Grant County was 15.0%, decreasing from 19.4% in 2009. (statistically significant)
- Washington State was 6.3%, decreasing from 13.4% in 2009. (statistically significant)
- The U.S. was 7.9%, decreasing from 15.1% in 2009. (statistically significant)
Note: Due to the low survey response rate during the Covid-19 pandemic, the 1-year estimates of the ACS for 2020 are not available.
Data Sources
U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey (ACS) - Explore Census Data
Notes:
1) This information comes from a survey, so the data presented are estimates. All significant tests are done at the 90% confidence interval. The margin of errors is provided in the “Download Data” section.
2) Learn more about the ACS:
County