Health Facts

2006

About 1 in 11 Washingtonians was uninsured in 2006.
The Washington State Population Survey indicates that 9.3 percent of the population was uninsured in 2006, down from 9.9 percent in 2004. However, the change in percentage terms is not statistically significant. The latest estimates show that those most likely to be uninsured were those with family incomes under 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) and working aged adults. Children, the elderly, and those with incomes at or above 300 percent of FPL were the least likely to be uninsured. For more information see The Uninsured Population in Washington State (pdf).
[December 2006]

Health care spending slows in 2003 for the first time in seven years
Health care spending in the United States grew by 7.7 percent in 2003, down from the 9.3 percent growth experienced in 2002, according to a report issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). See the CMS press release for further information.
[January 2005]

More children than ever had health insurance in 2003, but coverage for working-age adults declined
The percent of children without health insurance coverage fell from 13.9 percent in 1997 to 10.1 percent in 2003. The latest numbers also show an increase in uninsurance, growing from 18.9 to 20.1 percent during the same time period. For a summary of findings see Lack of Health Insurance Coverage and Type of Coverage at the National Center for Health Statistics website.
[December 2004]
2003 expected to mark first slowdown in health care cost growth in six years Health care spending in the United States is projected to grow 7.8 percent in 2003, down from the 9.3 percent growth experienced in 2002, according to a report issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
See the CMS press release for further information.
[February 2004]
Health spending rise continues in 2002 for nation The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) report that health care spending reached $1.6 trillion in 2002, or about $5,440 per person. Health spending rose 8.5 percent in 2001 and 9.3 percent in 2002. The press release is available at the CMS website. The full text of the report describing the health care increases can be located as a Health Affairs Policy Journal article. The related data, National Health Expenditure Data 2002, may be downloaded from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
[January 2004]

Seventy-six percent of Washington State employers provide health care insurance Three out of four Washington employers provide health care insurance to full-time workers, according to a new report released today by the Washington State Employment Security Department. Public administration and management firms rank at the top of the list of companies likely to provide coverage, while employees of food and lodging businesses are the least likely to benefit. Full press release (pdf)
[April 2003]
Health Care spending in the United States increased 8.7% in 2001 Health care spending in the United States rose to $1.4 trillion in 2001, an 8.7 percent increase over the previous year, according to a report by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The 8.7 percent growth rate for 2001, compared with 7.4 percent in 2000, and 6.1 percent in 1999. See the CMS press release for further information.
[January 2003]

8.4% of Washingtonians lack health insurance The percent of people without health insurance in Washington state has risen from 7.7% in 2000 to 8.4% in 2002 as determined by the Washington State Population Survey. In 2000 about 453,000 people were without health insurance and today [2002] that number stands at about 506,000 people. The largest increase in the uninsured rate came from those families over 200% of the Federal Poverty Level and adults in the 19-64 age bracket.
[December 2002]

Last modified: December 18, 2006
E-mail: OFM.Forecasting@ofm.wa.gov