Report: Number of uninsured Ohioans continues to climb

A survey released Wednesday by the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati is the latest indication that the commonly used figure of 1.3 million uninsured Ohioans is too low (Source: “Number of uninsured in Ohio may be higher than reports show,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, Aug. 14, 2008).

The foundation’s annual Ohio Health Issues Poll found that there are 1.4 million uninsured adults in Ohio, or about 16 percent of the adult population. Some potential good news, however, is that the percentage of uninsured adults in Ohio may be leveling off. The survey found that the number of uninsured went from 10 percent in 2006 to 15 percent last year, but only increased to 16 percent in 2008.

The 1.3 million estimate commonly used by policymakers in the state is an extrapolation of findings from the 2004 Ohio Family Health Survey, which concluded that there were 1.2 million uninsured Ohioans four years ago. The figure includes adults and children.

A more definitive number of uninsured Ohioans is expected later this year with the release of results from the 2008 Ohio Family Health Survey, which is being conducted by Ohio State University and the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, with financial support from the Ohio Department of Insurance, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio Department of Health and Ohio Department of Mental Health.

The Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati provides financial support to the Health Policy Institute of Ohio.