Oct. 9--The number of people in the Owensboro metropolitan area without health insurance exploded between 2000 and 2005, a new U.S. Census report shows.
In Daviess County, 19.4 percent more people were without health insurance in 2005 than in 2000, the report says.
In McLean, the numbers were up 56.4 percent -- and in Hancock, 85.4 percent.
"It's a serious problem," JAT Mountjoy, health education director for the Green River District Health Department, said Wednesday. "People who don't have health insurance are 30 percent less likely to have had a checkup in the past year. And once a disease is diagnosed, it's usually in a much more advanced stage."
Families USA, a Washington-based family health care advocacy group, reported in April that "uninsurance" is the "third-leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of 55 and 64," Mountjoy said.
Figures being released by the census bureau today show 14,795 people under age 65 without insurance in the three-county area.
That's up 3,178 from 2000's 11,617 people without insurance.
In neighboring counties, the number of uninsured dropped 8.6 percent in Muhlenberg County and increased only 1.2 percent in Ohio County.
The report shows 11,518 without insurance in Daviess; 1,305 in Hancock; 1,972 in McLean; 4,193 in Muhlenberg; and 3,291 in Ohio.
"The issue is far-reaching," Mountjoy said.
The Families USA study -- "Dying For Coverage In Kentucky" -- estimates that "one working-age Kentuckian dies each day due to lack of health insurance."
"Health insurance is considered a luxury for a lot of people," said Stephanie Lamar, director of the Regional Health Council at the Green River Area Development District, "and these are tough economic times."
The census report shows that 14.4 percent of Daviess Countians lack health coverage along with 17 percent of Hancock Countians; 23.7 percent of McLean Countians; 16.3 percent of Muhlenberg Countians and 16.1 percent of Ohio Countians.
Statewide, the average was around 19 percent, according to Families USA.
But in each area county, more women were insured than men -- two full percentage points or more in most cases.
"That probably speaks to guys not going to the doctor as often," Mountjoy said. "Unless they're going to the doctor, they're probably not buying insurance."
In all three counties of the Owensboro metro, the percentage without insurance is higher than the poverty rate.
Poverty rates in 2005 were 14.1 percent in Daviess; 12.1 percent in Hancock and 14.9 percent in McLean.
"In Daviess County, we have three low-cost clinics," Mountjoy said. "The Free Clinic of Owensboro, the McAuley Clinic and the REACH Clinic. We, as a county, are responding better than many areas. People in rural counties don't have that luxury."
In 2000, Hancock had one of the state's best rates for health insurance with only 8.3 percent uncovered. In 2005, the census report said, that had doubled to 17 percent.
"You have to eat," Mountjoy said. "If it comes down to basic necessities, many people are going to forego tests. And when they finally do go to get checked, their condition will likely have worsened."
That means bigger family debts for medical bills -- and more uncollectible debt for doctors and hospitals, he said.
Because they don't qualify for lower rates negotiated by insurance companies, the uninsured "are often charged 2.5 times what insured patients are charged for hospital services," Families USA said in its report.
It added that 60 percent of uninsured adults "reported having problems with medical bills" last year.
Area Uninsured
County 2005 2000
Daviess 11,518 9,648
Hancock 1,305 707
McLean 1,972 1,262
Muhlenberg 4,193 4,585
Ohio 3,291 3,238
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
-----
To see more of the Messenger-Inquirer, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.messenger-inquirer.com.
Copyright (c) 2008, Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.