Uninsured And Underinsured Population



Uninsured & Underinsured Population

Part 1 Outline (around 700 words)



1.Identify uninsured or underinsured group that you selected and list the population demographics of the group.

With approximately 34.4 million persons under the age of 65 uninsured and millions more underinsured, "16 percent of the population under 65 are uninsured. For minority populations, the statistics are worse--for example, 21.7 percent of blacks are uninsured, and 34.9 percent of Mexican Americans are uninsured." (Holahan, 2009, pp99)It is remarkable that there has been no real progress in access to health care in the most current decade. It is not common knowledge that millions of workers are not covered by any kind of health care plan. (U. S. Department of Commerce, 2008)

Much of the statistical data for the uninsured and underinsured refer to the poverty threshold for given categories of individuals and families. Compare this with the two-person less than 65 years of age household figure of $8,343. These are very low levels indeed. It seems that these thresholds should more correctly be called the subsistence thresholds, since it is doubtful that such income levels could support little more than a bare subsistence.

2.Detail the needs and health practices of the uninsured and underinsured.

A person who is making between $20,000 and $30,000 with a nonworking spouse and any children will have a hard time just trying to scrape up even $50 to $75 for some office visits, plus at least that much for the prescribed medicine. Additionally, many of those with marginal incomes find that they have to face staggering costs associated with complications such as underweight and/or critically ill babies, indigent dependents, and family members with chronic illnesses or conditions, just to name a few. Such costs, even for families with moderate incomes can be devastating to the family financial structure. (Holahan, ...