NO IMPROVEMENT FOR NC:  According to today’s new US Census bureau data, the number of people without health insurance in the United States increased by 800,000 from 2003-2004 and in 2004 North Carolina continues to have a higher percentage of people uninsured than the United States average.  The Census data shows NC’s percentage of people without insurance is shows no improvement from last year’s estimate of 16.5%.   However, this is a significant increase from the 14% who were uninsured in 2000-2001.

MORE MOVING FROM PRIVATE TO PUBLIC COVERAGE:  Nationally, the new US Census data shows the percentage of people who get health insurance related to employment declined again from 2004 to 2004 (59.8% from 60.4%).  Unsurprisingly, the percentage of people covered by government run health insurance like Medicare, Medicaid and Health Choice increased from 2003 to 2004 (26.6% - 27.2%).  Without programs like Medicaid and Health Choice, the number of uninsured in North Carolina would have increased significantly.

ABOUT ONE IN FIVE IN NC UNINSURED:  The US Census data on the uninsured is used as the basis for the much more accurate and county-specific estimates of NC’s uninsured by UNC’s Cecil Sheps Center for Health Services Research.  The Sheps Center estimated the number of uninsured under age 65 in North Carolina to be nearly one in five people in 2003 (19.4%). [Holmes, M., County Level Estimates of the Number of Uninsured in North Carolina, 2003 Update.]  Today’s updated US Census data shows little reason for change in that estimate.  North Carolinians without health insurance are sicker, get less medical care and die more quickly than those with coverage.  North Carolina must do more to help individuals and families buy affordable health coverage.

IT’S PRICES, STUPID:  One major reason more people can’t afford health insurance is simple – higher prices.  This month a study in the journal Health Affairs found that Americans pay about $2,000 a year more per person for health care than any other industrialized country.  The authors say, “It’s prices, stupid” as they point out in the United States people pay for drugs, hospital stays and doctor visits about 2 to 2½  times as much as other countries.  And it’s not that we are getting more medical care.  Americans see doctors less often and spend 20% fewer days in the hospital than in most other countries. 

Adam Searing
NC Justice Center’s Health Access Coalition
224 S. Dawson St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-856-2570

Please share this publication with anyone who might be interested.
This publication is distributed to individuals and organizations that have requested it.