The Uninsured

850,000 Washingtonians were uninsured in 2003. Because the cost of health care keeps rising out of control, being uninsured can happen to any of us. And when it does happen, it means our families are more likely to either forego needed medical care, or experience severe financial hardship trying to afford it.

Fact:  850,000 Washington residents were without health insurance for all of last year.¹

Fact :  11% of the uninsured Washingtonians are children 18 and under.²

Fact:  The uninsured have 25 percent higher mortality rates, and are more likely to die at a younger age.³

Fact:  After job loss, being uninsured and getting sick is the most common reason people file bankruptcy.⁴

What can we do about it?

Develop plans that work towards universal coverage

While the federal government needs to lead on this issue, states can take actions that lead to health care for everyone. Some of these include:

1. Demand greater corporate responsibility from large employers to ensure that more provide affordable family coverage.
2. Expand eligibility guidelines to cover more people in CHIP and Medicaid.
3. Set up mechanisms that helps small businesses better afford health insurance.