Washington, D.C. - Approximately 254,000 Rhode Islanders-27.8 percent of residents under age 65-were uninsured at some point of time during 2007-2008, according to a report released today by the health consumer organization Families USA. In fact, 181,000 of those uninsured Rhode Islanders, 71.3 percent of the total, were uninsured for six months or more during that time.

The situation is reflected nationwide. Approximately 86.7 million Americans-one out of three people (33.1 percent) under 65 years of age-were uninsured at some point during 2007-2008. The Families USA report is an essential supplement to commonly-used Census Bureau data, such as the 45.7 million people deemed to be uninsured for the entire 2007 calendar year.  

"The huge number of people without health coverage in Rhode Island is worse than an epidemic," said Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA. "At this point, almost everyone in the country has had a family member, neighbor, or friend who was uninsured-and that's why meaningful health care reform can no longer be kept on the back burner."

The Families USA report reveals additional important demographic information about uninsured individuals in Rhode Island:

* More than three-quarters of Rhode Island's uninsured, or 75.7 percent, were in working families, working full- or part-time.

* Almost half, or 49.6 percent, of those individuals and families in Rhode Island with incomes below twice the poverty line-$42,400 of annual income for a family of four in 2008-went without health insurance at some point in 2007-2008.

* In addition, one out of five, or 20 percent, of those individuals and families in Rhode Island with incomes at or above twice the poverty line-$42,400 of annual income for a family of four in 2008-went without health insurance at some point in 2007-2008.

* While whites accounted for the largest number of uninsured in Rhode Island, Hispanics/Latinos and African Americans were much more likely to be uninsured than whites: 48.5 percent of Hispanics/Latinos and 39 percent of African Americans went without health insurance in 2007-2008, compared to 23.2 percent of whites.
 
"These startling numbers clearly document the seriousness of the problem and demonstrate what happens when a problem is ignored for too long," Pollack said. "It's important, however, to note that the Congress and the President have begun to address this serious issue and have made a down-payment on comprehensive health care reform by extending coverage to more than four million uninsured kids.

"The action of Congress the President was an important down payment for health care reform, and it offers the promise that all Americans will one day have access to high quality, affordable health care."

The Families USA report was based on data from the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey and the Survey of Income and Program Participation as well as the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey used by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality. The data were compiled with the assistance of The Lewin Group, a distinguished health policy and data consulting firm.

A copy of the report is available here...

-From Families USA