Posted: 02/03/09
Recent research has found that a lack of personal health insurance results in a significant reduction of health care services as compared to those who are insured. Additionally, fees for uninsured patients accounts for a significantly higher percentage of out of pocket costs than those with personal health insurance (35% versus 17%). Two separate studies have shown this hold true for all age groups. Insured individuals receive on average nearly $4,000 in care while uninsured persons receive about $1,700. Likewise, insured children are more likely to visit a doctor (91% vs. 45%) and have an annual check up (77% vs. 45%) than their uninsured counterparts.
For children, another area of study has been the differences between privately insured children, those who receive public insurance such as Medicaid or State insurance, and uninsured children. Research has shown that children who suffer from chronic conditions and are uninsured receive far less care than even those children with public insurance. They are also more likely to have care delayed (41% vs. 10%), less likely to have a personal doctor (21% vs. 8%), and less likely to receive mental health care services (43% vs. 16%).
These statistics become even more startling when you consider that most of the more than nine million U.S. children who are uninsured live with at least one parent that works full-time.
Related Links
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68524.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68168.html
