Red States Tend to Have More Uninsured People

Today Gallup has posted some interesting figures on the percentage of uninsured people in each state, based on survey data they have collected over the first six months of the year. Unsurprisingly Massachusetts, which mandated universal coverage a few years ago, comes out on top. But despite the new system, 5.5 percent of the state's residents remain uninsured. There's not a single red state in the top 10 most insured: Massachusetts, Vermont, Minnesota, Hawaii, Delaware, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. But six red states feature in the bottom 10, with Texas taking the cake for the most uninsured with 26.9 percent. The red state performing best was North Dakota, coming in at 15th with 12.9 percent uninsured. Chuck Grassley's home state Iowa follows with 13.5 percent. 

Obviously there are dynamics at play in each state that influencethese numbers─unemployment levels, economic outlook, etc.─but it isinteresting to note that while Republicans resist health-care reformsthat aim to expand insurance coverage, it's their constituents whowould be the most likely beneficiaries. Democrats most vocally supportive of plans to expand coverage─like Barney Frank from Massachusetts and Anthony Weiner from New York─don't have as much to gain.