The variety in access to care rates, medical bill problems and other disparities are the results of numerous factors, including whether states have expanded Medicaid, the state’s uninsured rate prior to the PPACA’s implementation, differences in the cost protections provided by private health insurance and demographics.
Highlighted below are 16 findings from the report on disparities across California, Florida, New York and Texas.
Uninsured rates for adults ages 19 to 64
- California — 17 percent
- Florida — 21 percent
- New York — 12 percent
- Texas — 30 percent
Uninsured rates for adults with incomes below 100 percent of the federal poverty level*
- California — 23 percent
- Florida — 33 percent
- New York — 13 percent
- Texas — 51 percent
Adults who reported a cost-related access problem in the past 12 months
- California — 31 percent
- Florida — 43 percent
- New York — 30 percent
- Texas — 43 percent
Adults who reported having medical bill problems or debt in the past 12 months
- California — 24 percent
- Florida — 42 percent
- New York — 29 percent
- Texas — 41 percent
The report suggests that the health policy decisions made by state leaders matter.
“The analysis also indicates that expanded coverage is necessary to improve access to care and reduce medical financial burdens among U.S. families,” according to the report. “But the quality and comprehensiveness of coverage across all sources of insurance (marketplace plans, individual plans, employer-provided coverage and Medicaid), will ultimately determine the degree to which these problems are lessened for U.S. families.”
*Incomes below 100 percent the federal poverty line are $11,490 for an individual or $23,550 for a family of four.
