The rate of uninsured Oklahoma children increases
According to a study of the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute’s Center for Children and Families, although with more children live in poverty during the past three years, the number of them without health insurance have declined from 2008 to 2010. In addition, the number of children without insurance in the U.S. decreased by 1 million during that time span. Oklahoma saw significant declines in both the percentage rate and number of uninsured children from 2008 to 2010.
This study has been based on an analysis of new health insurance data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The number of Oklahoma children without insurance dropped by 19,054, from 111,575 in 2008 to 92,521 in 2010. That was the 15th best decline in the nation. Based on the study, the rate of children without health coverage decreased from 12.4 percent in 2008 to 8.8 percent in 2010, a decline of 2.4 percent, eighth best in the nation.
However, Oklahoma is one of 16 states with the rate of children without insurance is higher than the national average. Over all, Massachusetts has the lowest rate of children without insurance and Nevada is the highest. Oklahoma have to do something right. Maybe it’s the focused effort over the past three years for promoting the state children’s health coverage programs. Whatever, let’s expect this trend will continue.