1. Of the four largest states, Texas has the highest uninsured rate at 30 percent. Florida has the second highest percentage of uninsured at 21 percent, followed by California at 17 percent and New York at 12 percent. The national percentage of uninsured people is 16 percent of the population.
2. The population of people ages 19 to 34 years old and 35 to 49 years old had the highest rate of uninsured. In Texas, 34 percent of people in both age groups are uninsured. In Florida, 26 percent of people ages 19 to 34 years old are uninsured and 24 percent of people ages 35 to 49 years old are uninsured. In California, 23 percent of adults ages 19 to 34 years old are uninsured, while 18 percent of adults ages 35 to 49 years old are uninsured. The numbers dip quite a bit lower in New York: 14 percent of people ages 19 to 34 years old are uninsured and 13 percent of people ages 35 to 49 years old are uninsured.
3. Florida and Texas were both the national averages for cost-related healthcare access issues, while New York and California were below these averages. In the past year, 43 percent of Texans and 43 percent of Floridians have had cost-related access issues such as having a medical issue but not being able to visit a physician, not filling a prescription, skipping a recommended test or follow-up or not getting necessary specialist care. On the other hand, these issues impacted 31 percent of Californians and 30 percent of New Yorkers. The national average for cost-related access issues is 36 percent.
4. Florida and Texas were also above the national average, 35 percent, for medical bill or debt problems. Nearly half of Floridians, 42 percent, have had problems with medical bills or debt within the past 12 months. Texas follows closely with 41 percent of people having the same issues. In the other hand, 24 percent of Californians and 29 percent of New Yorkers reported the same problems.
5. The study authors indicated that New York has the longest history of legislation designed to expand affordable coverage access, while California has also implemented an early expansion of Medicaid eligibility. The authors conclude that expanded coverage improves access to care and reduced the financial burden imposed by medical costs.
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