Project Report

Project Description

• Partners: Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
• Intervention: Created interactive web tool maps
• Method: Mapping
• Outcomes: General decline of uninsurance rates

Project Report

The Maxwell X Lab partnered with the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York to analyze health insurance rates across New York State counties. We reported descriptive statistics on health uninsurance rates across a number of demographic and economic factors at both state and county level, using data that originated from the U.S. Bureau of the Census’ Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE). We also analyzed trends in Medicaid rates for potential retirees and those under age 65. We created interactive maps that can be accessed through a web tool.

Results of the analysis showed that health uninsurance rates fell between 2008 and 2015 for New York State residents, with most of the decline occurring after 2013 when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) was implemented. New York City counties have seen comparatively large declines in uninsurance rates, but Queens, Bronx, and Kings still ranked as the counties with the highest health uninsurance rates in the state. Other metropolitan areas, such as Albany, Onondaga, Monroe, and Erie counties, had comparatively low uninsurance rates. Men tended to have higher uninsurance rates than women, and children had lower uninsurance rates than older New Yorkers, which may be related to the CHIP program.

The analysis of Medicaid rates found that rates of public health insurance coverage have been consistent for New York residents aged 65 and older between 2012 and 2016. Residents younger than 65 have seen an increase in Medicaid coverage.