1. The age groups that America’s economy relies on the most have the highest uninsured rates.

Notice how the 19 to 25, 26 to 34, 35 to 44, and even the 45 to 64 age groups have vastly higher uninsured rates than the rest of the populace. These are the people we are relying on to transport food across the country, look after our banking and credit information, and teach our children. If we rely so heavily on these people, doesn’t it seem stupid that these people are the ones that have the least amount of health insurance? Think about how much more productive the US would be if we were able to give our working labor health insurance. There would be more preventative care, less emergency room operations, which translates to lower medical costs, and a healthier, more durable workforce.

Census data from here.

2. Hispanics have the highest uninsured rate of any ethnic group — by far

The very large Hispanic uninsured rate initially caught me by surprise, but makes sense after some thought. Even if some Americans are not privately insured, they may be eligible for Medicaid, for instance. Many Hispanics are illegal immigrants and are not eligible for publicly available insurance. Again, Hispanics make up a big size of the workforce and for them not to be insured is just stupid.

Census data from here.

3. Insurance can make a huge difference for poor and lower-middle class families

Here are the Federal Poverty Thresholds for 2013:

Family size 48 Contiguous states

and D.C. Alaska Hawaii 1 $11,170 $13,970 $12,860 2 15,130 18,920 17,410 3 19,090 23,870 21,960 4 23,050 28,820 26,510 5 27,010 33,770 31,060 6 30,970 38,720 35,610 7 34,930 43,670 40,160 8 38,890 48,620 44,710

Basically, if you’re single and poor, you’re more screwed than a guy about to have 50 tons of napalm dropped on his ass. You have to make less than $11,170 a year, or $36 a day. Imagine that. $36 to spend on food, shelter, heat, transportation, etc.

Anyways, those that have insurance tend to have more assets (in fact, much more) than those without insurance. Why? Probably because the average hospital cost is $22,200 and if you’re making only $36 a day, and uninsured there is no way in hell you’re able to pay for that. There might be more to the story (people that have insurance tend to have better, more stable employment), but providing insurance can help the poor and middle-class save money and prevent them from being financially crippled when they do have to seek medical attention. For example, for those who have insurance and live 400% above the federal poverty line, they have median assets of roughly $50,000. For those who do not have insurance and live 400% above the federal poverty line, they have median assets of roughly $4,000.

Data from here.