Rate of Health Insurance Increasing
The U.S. Census Bureau issued a report, “Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007″ that reviews population data for last year. Information detailed includes rates of poverty and health insurance (pdf).
The report is based on data collected through the Annual Social and Economic Supplements (ASEC) and the Current Population Survey (CPS) that is completed by the Census Bureau. The CPS is the longest ongoing survey that the Census Bureau completes.
Key findings in the report include the fact that health insurance coverage is on the rise; more Americans had health insurance in 2007 compared to 2006. In 2006, 47.0 million state residents did not have coverage. This decreased to 45.7 million.
This decrease was primarily observed among those individuals born in the U.S. However, the rate of health insurance among foreign born residents has not changed in this time frame. Most people who had coverage in 2007 obtained such through an employer sponsored plan.
For the third year in a row, the average annual household income increased. Income rates rose among two ethnic groups, African Americans and non-Hispanic Whites. The same was not true among Hispanics or Asians.
Alternatively, there was no noticeable difference in the poverty rate between 2006 and 2007. Though it is increasing among those under age 18.
August 19, 2008 Related topics: Trends