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Given that one out of seven Delawareans lacks health care coverage, according to the Delaware Health Care Commission, it’s not surprising that a recent AARP survey shows that residents of the First State solidly back health care reform.
According to the survey, which polled those 50 to 64 years of age, controlling costs and improving access to health care top the list of Delawareans’ health care-related concerns.
Health care costs are rising faster than people can pay for them. That’s not entirely a negative circumstance, given that advancing medical technologies and new services contribute to medical inflation. However, since many Delawareans live without health insurance or have minimal coverage from employers or Medicare, new, life-saving procedures or preventive measures are pointless for them.
Delawareans are doing better than the nation as a whole in obtaining health insurance, but the uninsured rate in the state—currently at 13 percent—has steadily increased over the past five years.
Private, employment-based healthcare coverage is the most popular means of coverage in the nation, with governmental programs like Medicare and Medicaid another major source. However, coverage for the 50- to 64-year-old population presents a unique challenge. While many in this demographic are employed, those who may have retired early, been laid-off, suffered an illness, or are caring for a relative struggle to continue health care coverage for themselves and their families.
Additionally, this age group, part of the Baby Boomer generation, will soon reach full retirement. Whether this group continues to have access to full coverage is especially critical when one considers this: the average American two-person household under age 65 spends $514 per year on health care costs. After age 65, that number jumps to $2,308. (These numbers do not include the cost of prescription drugs.)
A complete report of the survey is available free of charge at the AARP Delaware Web site.
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