Where are the uninsured? See this map

People without health insurance are in every state, every county, every community.

But there are many more, proportionately, in some places than others.

A new map shows the rate of uninsured by census tract, an area of about 1000 people.

Lighter colors are for low rates of uninsured persons, with a pale yellow for 0-7% uninsured.

Dark orange and red indicate high rates of uninsured, with deep red for over 35% uninsured.

You can zoom in and see, for instance, relatively high rates of uninsured people in Washington County, compared to the Bangor region. Particularly low rates are in some areas outside of the city.

Or you can zoom out and see Massachusetts, so much lighter compared to surrounding states. Romneycare, with its similar structure to the Affordable Care Act, led to very low rates of uninsurance.

Much of the state is in this screenshot. Notice a dark patch on the bottom? That’s Providence, Rhode Island.

Texas has the highest rate of uninsured in the country. It’s also a state where the governor and legislature have tried to block implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

This screenshot of a portion of south Texas shows there are many places where over 35% of the population lack coverage.

The big reddish orange spots toward the top of the screen are San Antonio and Houston. With its population of 1.36 million, San Antonio has roughly the same number of people as the entire state of Maine. Houston has 2.15 million.

Note: I found this map through Sarah Kliff, who writes about health care at the Washington Post.

Check it out here.

Amy Fried

About Amy Fried

Amy Fried loves Maine's sense of community and the wonderful mix of culture and outdoor recreation. She loves politics in three ways: as an analytical political scientist, a devoted political junkie and a citizen who believes politics matters for people's lives. Fried is Professor of Political Science at the University of Maine. Her views do not reflect those of her employer or any group to which she belongs.