Maverick County is Ninth County in United States with Highest Uninsured Residents

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

According to a research study conducted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund in Washington, D.C. of the 3,142 Counties in the United States with a population greater than 25,000, Maverick County is among the top 30 Counties in the United States that need the most the Affordable Care Act due to 33.9% of its residents under the age of 65 who are uninsured for health care coverage.  Local health care providers estimate the total percentage of uninsured Maverick Countians under the age of 65 may be closer to 50%.

According to the study, Maverick County is the ninth (9th) county in the United States with the overall highest percentage of uninsured individuals under the age of 65 with a 33.9% rate.

Using Maverick County’s 2010 U.S. Census population of 47,445, the study found that at least 16,083 Maverick County residents under the age of 65 are uninsured for health care coverage.  Thus, only 66.1% of Maverick County residents under the age of 65 or 31,361 individuals are insured for health care.

The top 10 Counties in the United States with the highest overall percentage of uninsured individuals are the following: 1) Hidalgo County, Texas with 38.1%; 2) Cameron County, Texas with 37.6%; 3) Webb County, Texas with 36.8%; 4) Miami-Dade County, Florida with 35.8%; 5) Starr County, Texas with 35.8%; 6) Lagrange County, Indiana with 34.9%; 7) Hendry County, Texas with 34.5%; 8) DeSoto County, Florida with 34.4%; 9) Maverick County, Texas with 33.9%; and 10) El Paso County, Texas with 32.8%.

The State of Texas has a total of 20 counties within the top 30 Counties with the highest overall percentage of uninsured individuals under the age of 65.  Texas Republican Governor Rick Perry and the Texas super-majority Republican Legislature oppose the expansion of Medicaid for over six (6) million middle, working, and lower economic class Texans.  Texas Democrats together with the Texas Medical Association and the Texas Hospital Association favor the expansion of Medicaid for these needy Texans

The study found that Maverick County is ranked fifth (5th) in the United States with the highest percentage of women under the age of 65 uninsured with 34.3% .  The top 10 Counties in the United States with the highest percentage of women under the age of 65 uninsured are the following: 1) Hidalgo County, Texas with 38.0%; 2) Cameron County, Texas with 37.4%; 3) Webb County, Texas with 37.4; 4) Starr County, Texas with 35.8%; 5) Maverick County, Texas with 34.3%; 6) Miami-Dade County, Florida with 33.9%; 7) El Paso County, Texas with 33.5%; 8) Lagrange County, Indiana with 32.5%; 9) Hendry County, Florida with 31.2%; and 10) Val Verde County, Texas with 31.0%.

Texas has a total of 23 counties within the top 30 Counties with the highest percentage of women under the age of 65 uninsured in the United States.

The study also found Maverick County as being the fifth (5th) County in the United States with the highest  percentage of uninsured individuals ages 18-39 with a whopping 52.2%.

The top 10 Counties with the highest percentage of individuals between the ages of 18-39 uninsured are the following: 1) Hidalgo County, Texas with 58.0%; 2) Cameron County, Texas with 56.6%; 3) Starr County, Texas with with 55.7%; 4) Webb County, Texas with 52.8%; 5) Maverick County, Texas with 52.2%; 6) Hendry County, Florida with 51.1%; 7) DeSoto County, Florida with 51.1%; 8) Duplin County, North Carolina with 49.1%;, 9) Lagrange County, Indiana with 49.0%; and 10) Titus County, Texas with 48.9%.

The State of Texas has a total of 18 counties among the top 30 counties for highest percentage of uninsured individuals ages 18 to 39 for health care.

Maverick County was also cited as the eighth (8th) County in the United States with the highest percentage of uninsured men aged 18-39.  The top 10 Counties in the United States with the highest percentage of uninsured men aged 18-39 include: 1) Cameron County, Texas with 60.8%; 2) Starr County, Texas with 59.5%; 3) Hidalgo County, Texas with 58.8%; 4) DeSoto, Florida with 57.2%; 5) Hendry County, Florida with 56.9%; 6) Webb County, Texas with 54.5%; 7) Duplin County, North Carolina with 54.4%; 8) Maverick County, Texas with 54.4%; 9) Potter County, Texas with 54.2%; and 10) Highlands County, Florida with 53.8%.   Texas has 15 Counties of the top 30 Counties with the highest percentage of uninsured men aged 18-39.

The study also found that Maverick County is the 13th County in the United States with the highest rates of uninsured individuals under 65 years earning between 138 percent and 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Line with 32.9%.  Texas has 19 Counties within the top 30 Counties in the United States with the highest rates of uninsured individuals under 65 years earning between 138% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Line.

The study conclusively shows Maverick County as being among the top Counties in the United States with the highest overall percentage of uninsured individuals and with the greatest need for health care services.  Based on five factors studied, the Center for American Progress Action Fund declared Maverick County as being among the 30 worst counties that rank among the 200 worst counties in the United States with the greatest need for health care insurance coverage and having the greatest need for the Affordable Care Act.

The United Medical Centers and the Maverick County Hospital District will be assisting Maverick County citizens to enroll in the Affordable Care Act during its second year of enrollment commencing in November 2014.  Maverick Countians are highly encouraged to enroll in the Affordable Care Act or obtain health insurance coverage for themselves and families through public or private insurance programs.  To contact the United Medical Centers, please call them at (830) 757-5358.  To contact the Maverick County Hospital District, please call (830) 773-1460.