Number of Uninsured Children in Oregon Continues to Climb

More than One Child in Nine in Oregon Lacks Health Insurance Coverage, and the Economic Downturn Is Likely to Drive This Number Higher

Washington, D.C.—There are 107,000 uninsured children in Oregon—more than one of nine children in the state (11.7 percent)—according to a new report released today by Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers.

The report, based on new Census Bureau data, shows that the number of uninsured children continues to grow in the state. The most recent data are for the three-year period 2005-2007 and therefore do not reflect the worsening economic situation in 2008.

The Families USA report, titled “Left Behind: Oregon’s Uninsured Children,” spotlights the following facts about uninsured children in the state:

• 107,000 children are uninsured in Oregon—more than one out of nine, or 11.7 percent of Oregon’s children.

• The number of uninsured children in Oregon increased by 2,400, or 2.3 percent, between the three-year period 2003-2005 and the three-year period 2005-2007, and is likely to continue to grow due to the financial crisis.

• Oregon’s uninsured children come from working families. In Oregon the vast majority of uninsured children (87.8 percent) come from families where at least one parent works, and approximately two-thirds—or 67.2 percent—live in households where at least one family member works full-time, year-round.

• Over half, or 58.5 percent, of Oregon’s uninsured children come from low-income families (families with incomes below twice the poverty level, or $35,200 for a family of three in 2008) who are likely eligible for Medicaid or CHIP.

Last year, the Congress voted to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which would have expanded health coverage throughout the nation to approximately 4 million uninsured children. Although Congress passed the legislation with broad bipartisan support, the legislation failed when President Bush vetoed it.

“The children’s health legislation vetoed by the President would have provided much-needed relief to uninsured children in Oregon and across the nation,” said Ron Pollack, Executive Director of Families USA. “Unfortunately, the minority of congressional members who voted with the President made it impossible to override the veto.”
 
The CHIP program is now scheduled to expire on March 31, 2009. As a result, the reauthorization of CHIP will be one of the earliest policy issues facing the next Congress and President.  

In 2007, more than 63,000 children in Oregon received their health coverage through CHIP.

“For the numerous children in Oregon who count on CHIP as their health lifeline, and for the 107,000 uninsured children in the state, support for continuing and expanding CHIP is critically important,” said Pollack. “It will determine whether children get the preventive care they need so that they can remain healthy, learn in school, and become productive citizens.”

Due to the current economic downturn, Congress is also likely to consider providing higher federal matching funds to the states for the Medicaid program—the other key health safety net program for children from low-income families. Such a measure may be part of the next economic stimulus package debated in Congress, thereby enabling states to retain and expand health coverage as more families become uninsured.

“The provision of increased federal matching funds to the states for Medicaid is of growing importance,” said Pollack. “States need to expand health coverage at a time when their budgets are increasingly precarious, so increased federal help is essential.” 

“Many Oregon working families are getting squeezed,” said Janet Bauer, policy analyst with the Oregon Center for Public Policy, who reviewed the report. “Some get no health coverage from employers and make too little to buy health insurance for themselves and their children. Others are offered coverage by their employers but cannot afford the premiums that would insure their children. 

“With the situation becoming more difficult for working families, it’s urgent that the government step up with solutions that protect our most vulnerable citizens, especially our children,” said Bauer.

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Families USA is the national organization for health care consumers. It is nonprofit and nonpartisan and advocates for high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100 · Washington, DC 20005
202-628-3030 · Email: info@familiesusa.org · www.familiesusa.org