Number of people without health insurance declines

By GENARO C. ARMAS

Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The number of people without health insurance decreased last year for the first time since the Census Bureau began compiling the data in 1987, a new trend that health care advocates said was due in large part to America’s robust economy.

About 42.5 million people, or 15.5 percent of the population, lacked insurance for all of 1999, compared with 44.2 million, or 16.3 percent, in 1998, according to data released Thursday.

The number of uninsured children fell by 1.5 percentage points to 10 million or 13.9 percent, according to the Census Bureau’s annual report on health insurance coverage in America.

Analysts highlighted two factors most responsible for the drop: more employers offering health coverage as a way to lure or keep workers in a tight labor market and healthy economy, and the Child Health Insurance Program, enacted by Congress in 1997 to assist low-income families.

The report showed that 62.8 percent of Americans had coverage through an employment-related health insurance plan, compared with 62 percent in 1998. The percentage of those covered under Medicare remained constant at 13.2. There was a 0.1 percentage point decline in Medicaid coverage, to 10.2 percent in 1999.

“Although I am pleased with today’s development, there is much work to be done,” President Clinton said. “We need to encourage states that are not doing as well to accelerate their activities in reaching out to uninsured children. And we need to provide targeted programs to build on their success.”

Texas Gov. George W. Bush, the Republican presidential nominee, has proposed a number of health insurance initiatives, including a tax credit of up to $2,000 per family to help low-income working Americans buy health insurance.

Democratic candidate Al Gore has proposed expanding the federal-state health plan for children to enroll more children and allow parents to join.

With the good economy, “employers are competing with each other, health benefits are of the attractions that are offered,” said Diane Rowland, executive director for the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured.

But, “we’re still not able to make a dent in the overall number,” she said.

Both health care reform advocates and industry supporters used the report to promote their positions on an issue that has drawn attention on Capitol Hill and the presidential campaign.

Chip Kahn, president of the Health Insurance Association of America said the data proved that “a private, employer-based system works.”

He cited figures showing that since 1993, the number of people covered under employment-based policies increased from 148 million to 172 million.

“It’s a function of more jobs being created and a tight labor market which is encouraging more employers to offer more coverage,” said Kahn, placing the imperative on Congress “to reduce that number by tens of millions.”

But Ron Pollack, executive director of the consumer group Families USA, noted that the report also showed that 32.4 percent of people living below the poverty line remained uninsured, along with 47.5 percent of low-income, full-time workers.

“Many people lost health coverage when they moved from welfare into entry-level jobs that have no health benefits,” Pollack said.

Among the states, 25.6 percent of residents in New Mexico were uninsured in 1999, the highest in the country. Texas ranked next-to-last, with 23.3 percent; in 1998, it was 50th at 24.5 percent.

Rhode Island had the smallest percentage of uninsured in 1999, 6.9 percent, followed by Minnesota at 8 percent.

Among the report’s other findings:

_More Hispanics (33.4 percent) were likely to be uninsured than any other of the major racial or ethnic group. Still, the percentage fell from 35.3 in 1998.

_Adults age 18 to 24 remained the least likely to be uninsured (29 percent), but the figure was 30 percent in 1998.

_The percentage of uninsured foreign-born residents declined from 34.1 percent to 33.4 percent. The percentage for U.S.-born residents fell nine-tenths of a percentage point, to 13.5 percent.

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

x
$14.5M property tax levy lid lift moves forward in Edmonds

After a public hearing, the City Council voted 5-2 to place the resolution on next week’s consent agenda for final approval.

Mikki Burkholder, left, and Sean Seifert pull drafts Friday afternoon at 5 Rights Brewery in Marysville on October 8, 2021. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
5 Rights celebrates 10 years in Marysville

During a challenging time for the US craft beer industry, 5 Rights continues to enjoy growth and an uptick in sales.

Wine is illuminated on a large win rack at the center of the main room at Long Shadows Woodinville Tasting Room & Key Club Lounge on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025 in Woodinville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Two winery restaurants in Woodinville stand out

You wouldn’t expect to get world-class pizza at a winery,… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.