Higher Uninsured Rates in Smaller Cities, Rural Pa., Census Data Show
Numbers demonstrate need for federal health care reform
HARRISBURG (September 22, 2009) - Urban centers and rural communities are home to some of the highest uninsured rates in Pennsylvania, according to data released by the Census Bureau today.
For the first time, the Census released local and regional data on health insurance coverage as part of its American Community Survey. Data was released today only for counties and municipalities with populations of at least 65,000.
Among the state's largest cities, Reading and Allentown had the highest uninsured rates - even higher than Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. In terms of sheer numbers, Philadelphia was home to the largest number of uninsured people in the state - with one in six uninsured Pennsylvanians coming from the city.
Among the 39 counties in Pennsylvania for which data was released, several rural communities saw high uninsured rates, as well. Crawford, Lawrence and Lancaster counties were home to some of the highest uninsured rates in 2008 - after Philadelphia County - while suburban Bucks, Montgomery, Butler and Northampton counties had among the lowest rates.
"These figures confirm a trend we have been seeing for years - that more of the uninsured tend to be in smaller cities and rural communities," said Sharon Ward, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center. "This underscores the failure of our health insurance system and the urgent need for Congress to enact health care reform."
Statewide, 1.15 million Pennsylvanians, or 9.4% of the population, lacked health insurance in 2008, according to the data. The state has a smaller share of uninsured people than the Northeastern United States (10.2%) and the nation as a whole (15.1%).
One reason Pennsylvania does better than the nation and the region is because the state is home to a large population of senior citizens who receive health coverage through Medicare. Pennsylvania's comprehensive Children's Health Insurance Program also provides a health care option for children from low- and middle-income families who might go uninsured in other states.
Additionally, Pennsylvania has a high rate of employer-provided health insurance, although the rate has been steadily declining over the past decade. Pennsylvania's long history of unionization has made it more likely that workers will get good health benefits here compared to similar jobs in other states.
Below are the rates and number of uninsured people residing in the seven largest cities and municipalities for which data was released today:
• Reading: 17.5% (14,020 people)
• Allentown: 17.1% (19,229 people)
• Philadelphia: 14.1% (200,243 people)
• Upper Darby Township: 13.8% (11,084 people)
• Erie: 13.4% (13,141 people)
• Scranton: 11.7% (8,153 people)
• Pittsburgh: 10.3% (30,127 people)
Below are the rates and number of uninsured people residing in counties (for which data was released) with uninsured rates above the state's 9.4% average. Many encompass rural communities and urban centers:
• Crawford: 14.4% (12,425 people)
• Philadelphia: 14.1% (200,243 people)
• Lancaster: 13.1% (65,138 people)
• Lawrence: 13.0% (11,521 people)
• Fayette: 12.4% (17,233 people)
• Clearfield: 12.3% (9,457 people)
• Franklin: 12.1% (16,867 people)
• Monroe: 11.6% (19,016 people)
• Somerset: 11.3% (8,376 people)
• Lehigh: 10.9% (36,272 people)
• Northumberland: 10.6% (9,268 people)
• Armstrong: 10.5% (7,124 people)
• Indiana: 10.1% (8,676 people)
• Erie: 10.0% (27,280 people)
• Columbia: 9.8% (6,349 people)
• Dauphin: 9.6% (24,238 people)
• Lebanon: 9.6% (12,145 people)
Today's Census release provided data for Pennsylvania's 39 largest counties and the seven largest municipalities. Data on health insurance are also available by congressional district and metropolitan statistical area, among other geographies. Additional data for cities and counties with populations less than 65,000 will be released on October 27.
CLICK HERE for more information on the regional data on health care.
