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Millions of Women of Childbearing Age Still Lack Health Insurance Coverage
NEW YORK, OCT. 17, 2000 – The number of American women of childbearing age lacking health insurance has not significantly improved since 1998, with nearly 12 million women -- one in five -- uninsured, according to new data commissioned by the March of Dimes from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The proportion of women aged 15 to 44 without health insurance is at 19.2 percent in 1999, down from 19.8 percent -- less than 1 percentage point -- from the previous year. The percentage of women of childbearing age lacking health insurance also varies widely by state, ranging from 30 percent of women in New Mexico to less than 10 percent in Minnesota.
These new figures were announced here today at a March of Dimes luncheon that marked the 50th anniversary of the Foundation’s Mothers March campaign and the induction of Inside Edition anchor Deborah Norville as the campaign’s new spokesperson. Ms. Norville delivered the data to a gathering of notables in entertainment, philanthropy and business.
"In addition, Hispanic and Native American women of childbearing age were about twice as likely as whites to lack insurance," Ms. Norville announced. "Thirty seven percent of Hispanic women and 35 percent of Native American women were uninsured, compared with 18 percent of whites. African American women, at 25 percent, and Asian women, at 24 percent, were also more likely than whites to be uninsured."
"Having health insurance matters," said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes, in separate comment. "Studies have found that the uninsured report poorer health status, are less likely to have a usual source of medical care, and are more likely to delay or go without needed health care services. A lack of insurance coverage makes health services unaffordable for these women who may become pregnant, making it difficult for them to receive the health care they need."
While women are more likely to have health insurance when they are pregnant, a separate March of Dimes study shows nearly 14 percent of pregnant women were uninsured in 1997.
Approximately 59 percent of women aged 15 to 44 have family incomes below 200 percent of the poverty level. At these levels, some uninsured women are likely eligible for Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Program (S-CHIP), if they are under age 19.
"Many more of these women would benefit if S-CHIP was expanded to provide coverage to pregnant women and parents as well as children" Dr. Howse said. For this reason, she continued, the March of Dimes is making improved access to coverage for women, infants and children a priority by:
- Working to assist enrollment of all eligible children under 19, including adolescent women of childbearing age, currently eligible for S-CHIP or Medicaid. On Saturday, October 28, the March of Dimes will partner with Kmart Corporation in an "Insure Kids Now" program during national Make A Difference Day. Volunteers will staff Kmart stores nationwide to provide information about enrolling children in free or low-cost health insurance.
- Advocating federal expansion of S-CHIP to cover pregnant women over age 19 and parents as well as children.
- Supporting state efforts to expand Medicaid coverage to include more women of childbearing age.
Uninsured Women.
The Mothers March is the oldest March of Dimes fundraising campaign and began in 1950 in Arizona when parents went door-to-door for funds to help find a cure for polio, which was beaten through vaccines developed with March of Dimes funding. The March is now a neighborhood letter-writing campaign that in 1999 raised nearly $24 million. Previous Mothers March spokespeople include Mary Ann Mobley, Jean Chatzky, Morgan Brittany, Elinor Donohue, Susan Howard and Eileen Fulton, who were also honored at today's luncheon.
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