Overview of Problem in Marion County

In 1998, over fourteen percent of Hoosiers were estimated to be without health insurance.¹ Recent reports indicate that the number of uninsured individuals throughout the United States is continuing to grow. Although most of the elderly population of Marion County has health coverage through Medicare, and many residents do receive health insurance through their employers, employer-sponsored coverage is declining and individuals are entering into jobs that may not offer immediate and affordable coverage.

Concurrently, more individuals are making the transition from welfare to work due to welfare reform, and thereby losing Medicare benefits. Although Medicaid still plays a critical role in addressing the needs of the uninsured, stringent eligibility criteria often exclude needy individuals. Many children are now entitled to health benefits due to Medicaid expansion, but the health care needs of their family units remain unmet. Such a lack of adequate health insurance coverage has had serious consequences for Indiana.

Individuals without insurance face significant difficulty in accessing care. They therefore avoid or delay care which results in unnecessary hospitalization for preventable illness, increased cost and, ultimately, adverse community-wide health outcomes.