Preliminary Data from NHIS Released

Every year, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) conducts the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The agency is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The survey uses sampling techniques to extrapolate findings across the American public, issuing the survey to 100,000 persons.

On June 25th, NCHS released early data (pdf) from the 2006 report. Early data particularly describes the number of Americans without health insurance coverage. Estimates suggest that almost 15 percent of people in the U.S. had no health insurance at the time of the interview, or 43.6 million, in 2006.

Estimates that considered the whole year reveal that 54.5 million people were without health insurance sometime during the 2006 calendar year, approximately 18.5 percent of the U.S. population. Earlier estimates about the rate of uninsurance were higher, at 46 million.

Texas has the highest rate of uninsurance, almost one-quarter of state residents were without coverage. The lowest percentage of uninsured residents was 7.7 percent in Michigan.

Children were less likely to be uninsured in 2006 compared to 1997. The percentage of people under age 18 without health insurance decreased, from 13.9 percent in 1997 to 9.3 percent based on the 2006 data.

The NHIS is a highly respected data set in the public health community. One interesting note which may be a source of contention is the influence of illegal immigrants on the rate of uninsurance. This topic has not been addressed in the preliminary reports from the NCHS describing the 2006 NHIS data.

The NCHS faces certain challenges in collecting data from a population that is motivated to shield visibility. Nevertheless, providing the healthcare community, legislators, and our beloved pundits with the most complete information about the rate of uninsured persons within U.S. borders is critical in the crafting of any measure to change health insurance coverage policies and practices.

Hospital Buyer

News for healthcare procurement decision makers