Uninsured Utahns on the Rise

SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. Census numbers coming out this week estimate one out of every six Utahns under age 65 didn’t have health insurance in 2006. The numbers may be higher now, since unemployment has risen in the recession.

The Deseret News reports Utah’s uninsured rate was 16.7 percent in 2006. The national average was 17.8 percent. Utah ranked No. 31 nationwide.

Taking a look at the 2006 Health Insurance Coverage Status the state, for people under the age of 65, Utah’s poor and minorities had the highest number of uninsured, as did people living in Utah’s rural counties. For rural counties, Piute had the highest rate of uninsured at 26.9 percent. It was followed by Rich (25.5), Daggett (24.1), Beaver (23.6), Wayne (22.6), and Millard (21.6).

Davis County had the lowest percentage of uninsured in the state with 11.9 percent.

2006 is the most recent year for which census numbers on the subject are available. Judi Hilman, executive director of the Utah Health Policy Project, tells the Deseret News since 2006 things have only gotten worse.

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