NC rounds out top 10 states with most uninsured residents new data shows
Published 12:00 am Thursday, July 11, 2024
NORTH CAROLINA — New data has identified the states where the highest percentage of residents lack health insurance. North Carolina ranks 10th in the category with 9.3 percent of its residents uninsured.
According to analysis from personal injury attorneys Bader Scott, the latest data from the United States Census Bureau highlights significant disparities in access to healthcare in comparison to the national average, which is 7.4 percent of residents being uninsured.
Texas ranks first, with 16.6 percent of the state’s population without health insurance, a staggering 124 percent above the national average. According to the release from Journo Research, Bader Scott’s digital public relations agency, “The state continues to face significant healthcare access barriers, leaving many of its residents without essential health coverage.”
Georgia, with its uninsured rate of 11.7 percent, which is almost 42 percent greater than the national average, is the second least protected state. Journo Research indicated that the state’s healthcare system faces considerable challenges, including “affordability and accessibility issues,” which contribute to its high uninsured rate.
Oklahoma also reports an uninsured rate of 11.7 percent, placing it alongside Georgia in the rankings. Wyoming is fourth, with 11.5 percent of its population uninsured.
Journo Research cites the state’s rural nature and limited healthcare infrastructure contribute to its relatively high uninsured rate, meaning improving healthcare access in remote areas is essential to ensuring better health outcomes for Wyoming residents.
Rounding out the top five is Florida, with an uninsured rate of 11.2 percent, which is 50 percent greater than the national average. The remaining top 10 stats are Nevada, Alaska, Mississippi, Arizona and North Carolina, respectively.
At the opposite end of the scale, Massachusetts boasts the highest insurance rate, with 97.6 percent of its population covered by health insurance. Hawaii follows closely with a coverage rate of 96.5 percent, while Vermont is third with 96.1 percent.
Rhode Island secures the fourth spot, with 95.8 percent of the state’s residents insured. In fifth place, Minnesota boasts a coverage rate of 95.5 percent.
Seth Bader, spokesperson for Bader Scott, commented on the findings:
“The analysis highlights the alarming gaps in health insurance coverage across the United States, with states such as Texas, Georgia, and Oklahoma facing the biggest challenges,” Bader said. “These alarming findings stress the urgent need for comprehensive healthcare reforms to ensure that all citizens have access to essential health services.
“As advocates for public health and justice, we urge policymakers to prioritize measures that address the root causes of high uninsured rates. By fostering a system focused on affordability and accessibility, we can work towards creating a healthier, more equitable society where everyone has the coverage they need.”
United States Census Bureau, Selected Characteristics of Health Insurance Coverage in the United States”. 2022 Data was taken from ACS 1 year estimate, each State was ranked for the percentage not insured. Full dataset can be found here.
