Statistics on children, youth and families in Pennsylvania from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children
Uninsured - Population (under age 25) by health insurance coverage status and age group in Pennsylvania
Uninsured - Population (under age 25) by health insurance coverage status and age group
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Why This Indicator Matters
Health insurance coverage is defined as legal entitlement to payment or reimbursement for health care costs.[1] Coverage can come in the form of private or public health insurance. Private insurance is typically a health plan provided through an employer or purchased directly from a private health insurance company, while public insurance comprises of plans funded by the government, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).[2] Health insurance coverage is incredibly important, as everyone requires medical care at some point in their lives. Having insurance lowers high out-of-pocket medical costs, frequently offers free preventative care (like vaccines, screenings, and check-ups), and provides essential benefits that are critical to maintaining one’s health.[3] Having healthcare coverage ultimately plays a crucial role in living a productive, secure, and healthy life.[4] In fact, many research studies have shown that having health coverage is associated with better health-related outcomes, including chronic conditions, cancer, and life expectancy.[5] Figures pertaining to the status of health insurance coverage are therefore often used as indictors of a population’s overall health, wealth, and workforce participation. Measuring the number of individuals who do not have health insurance also allows communities to identify gaps in community services, plan programs that address those gaps, and better provide assistance to those in need.[6]
[1] United State Department of Health and Human Services, HealthCare.gov. (2022). Glossary Index: Health Coverage. https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/health-coverage/
[2] United States Census Bureau. (2022). Health Insurance Glossary. https://www.census.gov/topics/health/health-insurance/about/glossary.html
[3] United State Department of Health and Human Services, HealthCare.gov. (2022). Health Insurance: How it Protects You from Health and Financial Risks. https://www.healthcare.gov/why-coverage-is-important/coverage-protects-you/
[4] American Hospital Association. (2019). The Importance of Health Coverage. https://www.aha.org/system/files/media/file/2019/10/report-importance-of-health-coverage_1.pdf
[5] Bovbjerg, R.R. & Hadley, J. (2007). Why Health Insurance is Important. The Urban Institute, Healthy Policy Briefs. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/46826/411569-Why-Health-Insurance-Is-Important.PDF
[6] United States Census Bureau. (2022). Why We Ask Questions About...Health Insurance Coverage. https://www.census.gov/acs/www/about/why-we-ask-each-question/health/
Definition and Source
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Definition
Data Source
Notes
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau did not release 2020 1-year estimates.
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