The Uninsured: The Big Problem in Texas

The Growing Problem

Texas has a high number of uninsured residents. While many states face a similar problem, in recent years, the number of uninsured has crept past other states. According to data released by the United States Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey from the 2010 census, Texas has the highest rate of uninsured people with 24.6 percent; that is 6.2 million people, or one out of four people in Texas, that are uuninsured. In comparison, the national average for 2010 was 16.9 percent of people that did not have insurance. On the positive side, the amount of uninsured decreased from 2009 by 250,000.

The survey results indicate wide disparities between income level, race and ethnicity, as well as age. The data the Census Bureau released in September also contained information about how Texas cities rank compared to other cities nationally. Four out of the five worst poverty rates were found in Texas. Texas’ poverty rate is at 17.9 percent; 2.6 percent higher than the nation’s 15.3 percent.

Who are the uninsured in Texas?

Uninsured Texans represent a very diverse group. The uninsured consist of people: who cannot afford private health insurance; who work in small businesses that do not offer insurance; who simply choose not to purchase health insurance (even though they can afford it); who are eligible-but not enrolled- in government sponsored programs such as Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP); and recent immigrants.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released information concerning groups, on a national level, that have a higher likelihood of being uninsured. These groups consist of: people in families with income below the 200 percent of the poverty level; Hispanics; young adults, age 19-34; people in families which the adults work either part-time or part of the year, or; individuals in fair or poor health status who are significantly more likely than others to be uninsured for longer periods.

Texas workers are less likely to have employment-based health insurance coverage than those in other states. During 2007, only 46.7 percent of Texans had employment-based health insurance coverage.

Uninsured based on age groups:

Uninsured based on income levels (2010):

Uninsured based on ethnicity (2010):

What does this mean financially for Texas?

On a national scale in 2006, patients seeking care made 119 million emergency room visits. Uninsured people usually seek medical care from emergency rooms because they do not have a doctor they see on a regular basis. Taxpayers, Texans with insurance and employers who offer health benefits also pay extra for caring for the uninsured. The Texas Medical Association projected that in 2010, the annual cost per Texas family for health insurance to be $2,786.