Cover the Uninsured Week (CTUW) is an annual initiative organized by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and 18 other organizations to draw attention to the problem of nearly 46 uninsured Americans.
More information is at the Cover the Uninsured web site.
The 2008 CTUW is April 27 to May 3
The 2008 analysis conducted by SHADAC for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows that a growing share of workers’ earnings is being absorbed by the increasing cost of health insurance. Nationwide, the amount employees pay for family coverage increased 30 percent from 2001 to 2005, while family policyholders’ income increased just three percent over the same period. The proportion of insurance premiums that workers pay for family coverage has remained constant over the years, but the dollar amount that workers contribute has substantially increased.
Download the report: "Squeezed: How Costs for Insuring Families are Outpacing Income."
The 2007 CTUW is April 23-29.
SHADAC again provided analysis for CTUW 2007. This year’s report, "Whose Kids are Covered?" addresses the issue of children’s health insurance coverage. As debate about how much federal funding to devote to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), this new analysis provides a clearer look at uninsured children in every state. The analysis shows that since 1997, employer offers of health insurance to parents with lower incomes have fallen three times as fast as offers to parents who earn more money. The figures underscore that working parents who earn modest incomes are experiencing dramatic erosion in employee benefits.
SHADAC provided state-level analysis of key issues for CTUW. The 2006 analysis is based on data from the 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), as well as an employer-sponsored insurance coverage analysis using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey - Insurance Component (MEPS-IC).
"The Coverage Gap"
The 2006 report, "The Coverage Gap," includes analysis conducted by SHADAC on differences in access to care between insured and uninsured Americans. The report includes state-level detail on health insurance coverage, access to care, and use of preventive services.
Download "The Coverage Gap" (pdf format)
"Shifting Ground: Changes in Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance"
This new report for the 2006 CTUW includes analysis by SHADAC on changes in employer-sponsored coverage, including state-level detail.
Download "Shifting Ground" (pdf format)
"A Profile of Minnesota Health Insurance and Access to Care"
This brief report includes analysis from the 2001 and 2004 Minnesota Health Access Surveys and the 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey.
Download the brief (pdf format)
"The Coverage Gap" in the news:
Panel Discussion on May 5, 2006
A free event, open to the public, called “The Coverage Gap,” will feature a panel discussion to address the findings and related policy issues from local and national perspectives. The event was held Friday, May 5, 2006 at the University of Minnesota.
More information (pdf)
Resources (handout from discussion)
Dr. Kathleen Call's presentation handouts (pdf)
Dr. Michael Ainslie's presentation handouts (pdf)
Rhonda Degelau's presentation handouts (pdf)
Tools for Analysts
On April 25, 2006 SHADAC conducted a conference call regarding the methodology used for the CTUW analysis. This call was designed for analysts to understand the data sources used for the analysis. Background materials for this call are: