Uninsured

Approximately 45 million people are uninsured in the United States. However, 85% of these uninsured people live in families headed by workers, including one person families. Today 13% of full-time standard workers and 60% of non-standard workers are ineligible for their companys’ health benefits plans, explaining how employed people can go without health insurance.

The non-standard workforce and their access to health insurance is discussed in a report by the Commonwealth Fund, “On the Fringe: The Substandard Benefits of Workers in Part-Time, Temporary, and Contract Jobs.”

Approximately half of the working uninsured population, which is about 40% of the total uninsured population, is between the ages of 18 and 34. Individual health insurance is age rated though, meaning young people generally pay less for health insurance than older people. In most states people between the ages of 18 and 34 can buy an individual health insurance policy with moderate benefit levels for less than $100 a month. There are so many options in the individual health insurance market that the uninsured problem has as much to do with access and lack of knowledge as it does financing.

To learn more about the uninsured view a study by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation entitled, “The Uninsured a Primer Key Facts about Americans without Health Insurance.” Alternatively, see IRS Publications.