The national uninsured rate rose in 2019 to 9.2 percent from 8.9 percent from 2018, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
This is the second year in a row that there was an increase, which is concerning because the United States is facing one of its biggest public health crises with the covid-19 pandemic.
Uninsured Americans who are hospitalized for the virus pay an average of $73,000.
In some cities and states, the rate of people with insurance is much higher than others.
WalletHub, a personal-finance website, released reports Wednesday on “2020's City Uninsured Rates” and “2020s State Uninsured Rates.”
WalletHub compared the rates for 548 U.S. cities and the 50 states, in addition to a breakdown by age, race/ethnicity, and income level.
The following are some highlights from the reports:
|
States with lowest uninsured rates |
States with highest uninsured rates |
|
1. Massachusetts – 2.99 percent |
41. North Carolina – 11.26 percent |
|
2. Rhode Island – 4.09 percent |
42. Arizona – 11.28 percent |
|
3. Hawaii – 4.16 percent |
43. Nevada – 11.42 percent |
|
4. Vermont – 4.49 percent |
44. Alaska – 12.21 percent |
|
5. Minnesota – 4.88 percent |
45. Wyoming – 12.31 percent |
|
6. Iowa – 5.01 percent |
46. Mississippi – 12.97 percent |
|
7. New York – 5.24 percent |
47. Florida – 13.16 percent |
|
8. Wisconsin – 5.71 percent |
48. Georgia – 13.41 percent |
|
9. Pennsylvania – 5.77 percent |
49. Oklahoma – 14.28 percent |
|
10. Michigan – 5.78 percent |
50. Texas – 18.36 percent |
|
Cities with lowest uninsured rates |
Cities with highest uninsured rates |
|
1. Newton, Massachusetts – 1.26 percent |
539. Houston, Texas – 25.24 percent) |
|
2. Cambridge, Massachusetts – 1.37 percent |
540. Passaic, New Jersey – 26.04 percent) |
|
3. Quincy, Massachusetts – 1.47 percent |
541. McAllen, Texas – 26.51 percent |
|
4. Plymouth, Minnesota – 1.71 percent |
542. Garland, Texas – 26.60 percent |
|
5. Fremont, California – 1.74 percent |
543. Pasadena, Texas – 28.31 percent |
|
6. Ellicott City, Maryland – 1.84 percent |
544. Laredo, Texas – 28.62 percent |
|
7. Union City, California – 1.92 percent |
545. Edinburg, Texas – 30.37 percent |
|
8. Alameda, California – 2.09 percent |
546. Mission, Texas – 30.57 percent |
|
9. Naperville, Illinois – 2.20 percent |
547. Brownsville, Texas – 32.90 percent |
|
10. Pleasanton, California – 2.28 percent |
548. Pharr, Texas – 34.49 percent |
