Employer-based Coverage Continues Slide in PA

The long decline of employer-based health coverage in Pennsyvlania continued in 2008, as reported by the Census Bureau September 10.  The number of people with such coverage dropped to 7.1 million in 2008, down 11 percent from 8.0 million in 2000.

In total, 1.2 million Pennsylvanians were uninsured in 2007-2008.  This is roughly one in 10, as compared to one in 12 residents lacking coverage in 2000-2001. 

These findings, which will very likely worsen in 2009 because of the recession, highlight the need to enact comprehensive health care reform before the end of the year.

An Urban Institute analysis published earlier this year concluded that for each 1.0 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate, the share of nonelderly adults without health insurance increases by 0.59 percentage point. 

Pennsylvania's unemployment rate increased by three full points - to 8.5 percent - over the past year.  This is likely to have caused an additional 135,000 working age adults to become uninsured.  Most of these individuals are not counted in the Census Bureau numbers released September 10th.

"As working parents lose their jobs and employers cut back on coverage, many families are finding themselves uninsured," said the Rev. Amy E. Reumann, DIrector of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania.  "For families with emergency or chronic health conditions, lack of health coverage can be devastating." 

The West Chester Daily Local highlighted the Pennsylvania decline in employer-based coverage in its September 13th edition.  To read a copy of PHAN's media release, click the link below. 

Media Release - Census Data on Health Coverage in PA.doc