Uninsured Statistics & the HRA

A few posts prior I mentioned that of the 47 million uninsured 18 million were between 18 and 34 years of age, aka, young healthy adults who chose not to buy health insurance. Well here are some more stats with citations:

1. 17 million lived in households earning $50,000 or more…. obviously could buy health
insurance if they chose to do so and,
2. 50% of non-elderly people who were uninsured regained their health insurance within
four months and,
3. 30% remained uninsured for more than 12 months.

References:
1. (http://www.census.gov/prod/2006pubs/p60-231.pdf )
2. (http://www.aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/05/uninsured-cps/ib.pdf)
3. (http://www.heartland.org/policybot/results.html?artID=16014)

The second reference also found:
1. 21% are below age 18
2. 63% are under age 34
3. 21% are non-citizens

Prior to believing any stats that the proponents of national health care put forth, it makes sense to verify their usage.

Are they intended to inform or mislead?

Within the HRA nearly 52% of those uninsured could easily obtain their own health insurance. Why? Because the individual health policy is rated on age and health. A young person looking at the costs under the employer-paid benefit sees a premium cost of nearly $500 per month. That is disposable income. How would spending that money for health insurance stack up against… renting a BMW or payments on a 51 inch high def flat screen tv?

The average cost for an individual health policy under the HRA for the 18-34 demographic would be about $200. An employer is a lot more likely to participate at that level but even if not it is still less expensive precisely because it is age rated not marital status rated!

Once again the HRA is a winner!