Uninsured

Indicator: 12.2% of children under 18 in Travis County lacked health insurance in 2019.

Significance of Indicator: Health insurance improves a person’s health and their ability to get an education and achieve and maintain productive employment reports the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. Currently, the U.S. Government and taxpayers spend billions of dollars caring for the uninsured.

How we are doing on this Indicator : From 2008 to 2018, the rate of uninsured children and youth in Travis County generally decreased. The rate increased in 2019. There continue to be disparities in the rates of uninsured children and youth by race and ethnicity, with 20% of Hispanic children under 18 in Travis County lacking health insurance, compared to 5% of Black children, 7% of Asian children, and 5% of White children.

what the data tell us

Definition: Percentage of individuals under 18 who lack health insurance

Data Source: American Community Survey – 1-year Estimates, 2013-2017

Data Considerations: The American Community Survey samples 3% of the Nation’s population. Due to small sample sizes, margins of error are increased and hard to reach populations may not be accurately represented in the data.

The Story Behind the Indicator

The Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey reported an estimated 12.7% of Texas children under the age of 18 were uninsured compared to the national average of 5.7%. Travis County fairs only marginally better than the state, with 12.2% of its children uninsured. Texas has one of the most stringent Medicaid and CHIP eligibility criteria in the nation. It is only 1 of 3 states that requires family to meet an asset test for Medicaid and 1 of 2 for CHIP. The Center for Public Policy Priorities reports that data from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) shows a decline in children enrolled in the Texas Medicaid program and CHIP during 2018. In total, Texas children enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP dropped by approximately 6% between December 2017 and April 2019.

Some Local Efforts to Improve this Indicator

  • ICC members screen individuals for public health insurance programs and assist families with the application process. ICC is developing technology that would allow agencies, with client permission, to share client documents.
  • Central Health implements the Medical Assistance Program (MAP) for low income Travis County residents not eligible for CHIP/Medicaid.
  • Catholic Charities and other agencies assist families with the CHIP/Medicaid application. Families can call 211 Option 1 for more information

A Closer Look at the Story Behind the Indicators

Click any of the section titles below to view related graph and information.

% Children Under 18 Uninsured by Race/Ethnicity

Data Source: American Community Survey – 1-year Estimates, Tables B27001, B27001D, B27001B, B27001H, and B27001I

Data Considerations: The American Community Survey samples 3% of the Nation’s population. Due to small sample sizes, margins of error are increased and hard to reach populations may not be accurately represented in the data.

% Children Under 6 Uninsured by Race/Ethnicity

Data Source: American Community Survey – 1-year Estimates, Tables B27001, B27001D, B27001B, B27001H, and B27001I

Data Considerations: The American Community Survey samples 3% of the Nation’s population. Due to small sample sizes, margins of error are increased and hard to reach populations may not be accurately represented in the data.

% Children Ages 6-17 Uninsured by Race/Ethnicity

Data Source: American Community Survey – 1-year Estimates, Tables B27001, B27001D, B27001B, B27001H, and B27001I

Data Considerations: The American Community Survey samples 3% of the Nation’s population. Due to small sample sizes, margins of error are increased and hard to reach populations may not be accurately represented in the data.