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Health insurance affects access to health care as
well as the financial well-being of families. Nearly 40% of the uninsured have no regular source of health care, and, coupled with a fear of high medical bills, many delay or forego needed care.
- Nearly 40% of uninsured adults skipped a recommended medical test or treatment, and 20% say they have needed but not gotten care for a serious problem in the past year.
- Uninsured children are at least 70% more likely than insured children not to have received medical care for common conditions like ear infections - illnesses that if left untreated can lead to more serious health problems.
- Both uninsured adults and children are less likely to receive preventive care. Uninsured adults are over 30% less likely to have had a check-up in the past year.
Delaying or not receiving treatment can lead to more serious illness and avoidable health problems, which does make a difference in how healthy people are.
- The uninsured are more likely than those with insurance to be hospitalized for conditions that could have been avoided, such as pneumonia and uncontrolled diabetes.
- The uninsured with various forms of cancer are more likely to be diagnosed with late stage cancer. Death rates for uninsured women with breast cancer are significantly higher compared to women with insurance.
Health insurance clearly matters for the millions of Americans who lack coverage. Decisions made by the uninsured to delay or forego needed care because of its cost ultimately can lead to poorer health outcomes.
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