Kentuckians and Increased Health Access

Thirty-eight percent of adults from 18-65 went without health insurance at some time during this past year, said a study done by the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. This year the foundation joined with the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati to conduct an extensive Kentucky Health Issues Poll.

There were over 1600 interviewed and the study had a margin of error less than 2.5 percent, according to Eric Rademacher of the Institute for Policy Research. Despite the economy, 81% of Kentuckians still favor “providing access to affordable, quality healthcare for all Americans,” noted Foundation Executive Director Susan Zepeda. This percentage is down 10 percentage points from the prior year. Of those favoring, 64% supported increased access “even if it means raising taxes.”


The support for access to healthcare may be a reflection of another finding from their study. Thirty-seven percent of white and 55% of African American Kentuckians 18-65 reported going without coverage now or some time in the past year. And, 47% of younger adults (18-29) and 49% of those with family incomes below the federal poverty level are currently uninsured. This contributed to the support of affordable quality healthcare for all Americans.

There were some insured Kentuckians who reported going without needed healthcare in 2009 “because of the cost.” For more information go to www.health-ky.org

Foundation for a Health Kentucky. Despite Economy, Kentuckians Still Favor Increased health Access. Jan 13, 2010.