Uninsurance High Among Unemployed

A new study by the State Office of Financial Management contains detailed analysis of health insurance by employment status. The report is rich with information, but unfortunately the latest data were collected in Spring 2008--before the bottom fell out of the state labor market. The state unemployment rate has risen dramatically since then, making it likely that the health insurance picture has also worsened.

The report illustrates the difficulty of obtaining and maintaining insurance for unemployed workers: 44 percent of unemployed adults ages 19-64 were uninsured, compared to 14 percent of employed adults.

As employment-based health insurance becomes less available, the need for public programs grows. Despite this growing need, the Governor is expected to sign a budget that will eliminate around 40,000 Basic Health Plan slots.