HC 3.1

HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

Children who are covered by health insurance are considerably more likely to have a regular source of health care.³² Regular care increases the continuity of care, which is important to the maintenance of good health.

Since 1987, the percentage of children who are not covered by health insurance has stayed stable at 13 to 14 percent (see Table HC 3.1.A). Rates of coverage vary little by age of child, though older children are slightly less likely to be covered.

Differences by Race and Ethnicity. Hispanic children are far less likely to be covered than either white or black children. In 1995, 27 percent of Hispanic children were not covered by health insurance, compared to 13 percent of whites and 15 percent of black children (see Figure HC 3.1.A).

Children Covered by Medicaid. The proportion of children who are covered by Medicaid has grown substantially over time, increasing from 15 percent in 1987 to a high of 24 percent in 1993, before declining slightly to 23 percent in 1994 and 1995 (see Figure HC 3.1.B). Young children are considerably more likely to be covered by Medicaid. In 1995, 30 percent of children under age six were covered, compared to 17 percent of children ages 12 through 17. Finally, a very large proportion of black and Hispanic children rely on Medicaid for their medical coverage. In 1995, 45 percent of black and 37 percent of Hispanic children were covered by Medicaid, compared to 18 percent of white children.
 

Figure HC 3.1.A   Percentage of Children Under Age 18 Not Covered by Health Insurance, by Race and Ethnicity Group: 1995

Source: Unpublished Tables, based on Analyses from the March Current Population Surveys. Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division, U.S. Bureau of the Census.
 
 

Figure HC 3.1.B   Percentage of Children Under Age 18 Who Were Covered by Medicaid: 1987-1995

Source: Unpublished Tables, based on Analyses from the March Current Population Surveys. Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division, U.S. Bureau of the Census.
 
 

Table HC 3.1.A  Percentage of Children Under Age 18 Not Covered by Health Insurance: 1987-1995
			1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995
			———	———	———	———	———	———	———	———	———
All Children			13	13	13	13	13	13	14	14	14
Age 0-5			12	13	13	11	11	11	12	14	13
Age 6-11			13	13	13	13	12	12	13	13	13
Age 12-17			14	14	14	15	15	15	17	15	14
Race/Ethnicity
	White		12	12	12	13	12	12	13	13	13
	Black		17	16	16	15	15	14	16	17	15
	Hispanic		28	29	30	28	27	25	26	28	27
Source: Unpublished Tables, based on Analyses from the March Current Population Surveys. Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division, U.S. Bureau of the Census.

 

Table HC 3.1.B  Percentage of Children Under Age 18 Covered by Medicaid: 1987-1995
					1987		1988		1989		1990		1991		1992		1993		1994		1995
					———		———		———		———		———		———		———		———		———
All Children						15		16		16		19		20		22		24		23		23
		Age 0-5				18		19		20		24		27		30		32		30		30
		Age 6-11				15		15		15		17		19		20		22		22		23
		Age 12-17				12		12		11		14		15		15		17		16		17
Race/Ethnicity
		White			11		11		11		14		16		17		19		18		18
		Black			38		38		37		42		44		46		47		44		45
		Hispanic			26		25		25		30		34		37		39		37		37
Source: Unpublished Tables, based on Analyses from the March Current Population Surveys. Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division, U.S. Bureau of the Census.