Dallas County has been named on a “worst” list of 30 counties nationwide that have some of the highest numbers of uninsured. In fact, 22 of the counties are in Texas.
The list was released by the Center for American Progress, a group which supports the implementation of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act.
The report cites U.S. Census numbers that show 35 percent of Dallas County residents have no health insurance. Almost half of men in the county-49 percent- between the ages of 18 and 39 don’t have insurance.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says the national average of uninsured is about 16 percent.
The report says counties on the list have some of the worst insurance rates and health outcomes for chronic diseases.
The Center for American Progress is using the report as part of a campaign to encourage Americans to sign up for insurance offered through new health exchanges this fall.
Gov. Rick Perry has chosen not to have Texas participate in the part of the program that makes Medicaid available to more lower income citizens. Perry claims expanding the Medicaid program would financially "break the bank."
Texans can, however, still purchase insurance through the exchanges where subsidies will be provided for those who qualify.
