The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on the results of a study just released by the state of Pennsylvania which studied health care in the state. The report shows that there are now over a million in the state who have no health insurance, and the majority of the uninsured are adults who are working.
The state commissioned the study which began in September of 2007 and was completed last May to survey for the actual uninsured rate. The numbers came back with over one million citizens uninsured, a figure that equates to 8.2% of the population. Adults were more likely to be uninsured by over six to one, with numbers of 880,000, while the number of uninsured children was 140,000. The study revealed that geography, race and age were not deciding factors, but low income families and minorities were more likely to be uninsured.
State officials believe that the number of uninsured is likely higher than the study shows. Joel Ario, the state insurance commissioner announced that there is a real crisis for the adult population regarding health care, and that it has probably gotten worse since May when the survey was taken. By June of 2009, the number on the waiting list for AdultBasic, the state's adult health insurance program will double the current figures to over 282,000.
The problem has been addressed several times over the last two years with no success. Governor Ed Rendell, for whom health care expansion is a priority, has had all of his proposals voted down by Senate Republicans, who rejected them because they believe they are too costly for the benefit they bring.
Somewhat surprisingly, New Jersey, which has a much smaller population, has 1.4 million, or 16% of its citizens uninsured. Officials state that the disparity between the two states is because Pennsylvania has a large union membership. Unions normally provide members with health care benefits. Many are urging the state to take advantage of federal resources to expand AdultBasic, the adult health care program.
The state commissioned the study which began in September of 2007 and was completed last May to survey for the actual uninsured rate. The numbers came back with over one million citizens uninsured, a figure that equates to 8.2% of the population. Adults were more likely to be uninsured by over six to one, with numbers of 880,000, while the number of uninsured children was 140,000. The study revealed that geography, race and age were not deciding factors, but low income families and minorities were more likely to be uninsured.
State officials believe that the number of uninsured is likely higher than the study shows. Joel Ario, the state insurance commissioner announced that there is a real crisis for the adult population regarding health care, and that it has probably gotten worse since May when the survey was taken. By June of 2009, the number on the waiting list for AdultBasic, the state's adult health insurance program will double the current figures to over 282,000.
The problem has been addressed several times over the last two years with no success. Governor Ed Rendell, for whom health care expansion is a priority, has had all of his proposals voted down by Senate Republicans, who rejected them because they believe they are too costly for the benefit they bring.
Somewhat surprisingly, New Jersey, which has a much smaller population, has 1.4 million, or 16% of its citizens uninsured. Officials state that the disparity between the two states is because Pennsylvania has a large union membership. Unions normally provide members with health care benefits. Many are urging the state to take advantage of federal resources to expand AdultBasic, the adult health care program.
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