health care:uninsured - Thurston County

HEALTH CARE: UNINSURED ISSUE The effects of having no health insurance coverage of any kind, being uninsured, include: (1)  Having no health care provider.  Having to delay or forgo needed care and recommended treatment.  Dying earlier than you should (premature death). Being uninsured makes it difficult to get health care which means diseases and health issues that could have been detected earlier are not. For those with health conditions that need ongoing care it can also mean being unable to get needed health services and prescribed medication. (1)

FINDINGS 

In 2011, more than 1 in 10 Thurston County residents had no health insurance of any kind (12% uninsured, 88% insured). (2) o This equates to an estimated 28,759 uninsured Thurston County residents. (2)

Percent of Residents who are Uninsured, Thurston County and Washington State 2008-2011 (2) 16%

12%

8%

4%

0%

2008

2009

2010

2011

Thurston

11%

11%

11%

12%

WA State

13%

13%

14%

14%

THURSTON | Community Health Assessment Data Series 2012 Thurston County Public Health & Social Services Department

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DETAILED DATA 

Health insurance coverage varies by age group. Thurston County estimates for 2011 show that: − 4% or 2,457 county children age birth to 17 are uninsured. (2) − 16% or 26,069 adults age 18 to 64 are uninsured. (2) − 1% or 233 adults age 65 and up are uninsured. (2) Seniors are more likely to have health insurance coverage due to Medicare eligibility which generally begins at age 65. (3)

Percent Uninsured by Age Group, Thurston County and Washington State 2011 (2) 20% 20% 16% 16% 12% 8%

6% 4%

4% 1%

1%

0% Birth to 17

18 to 64 Thurston



65 and up

WA State

Of Thurston County adults who are uninsured, most are employed. Not being in the labor force can include a wide range of adults such those who are retired, disabled or caring for children or other family members. (2)

Percent Uninsured by Employment Status and Labor Force Participation, Thurston County Adults 2011 (2) (N = 26,302 uninsured adults) 16%

14% 70%

Employed

Unemployed

Not in Labor Force


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CITATIONS (1) The Uninsured: A Primer. 2012. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. www.kff.org/uninsured/7451.cfm (2) American Community Survey (ACS) Data. 2008-2011. Table S2701. U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov (3) Medicare Eligibility Tool. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. www.medicare.gov

NOTES −

American Community Survey health insurance question “Is this person CURRENTLY covered by any of the following types of health insurance or health coverage plans?...”

MORE INFORMATION 

Mary Ann O’Garro, Epidemiologist, 360-867-2525, [email protected], www.co.thurston.wa.us/health


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