27% Have Lapses In Health Insurance But Periods Of Interruptions Getting Shorter, Agency Says

Nearly three of every 10 Americans went without health insurance for at least a month from early 1992 to mid-1994, but the interruptions in coverage are getting shorter, a new government survey says.

The Census Bureau reported Monday that about 27 percent of the population, or 66.6 million people, did not have health insurance for at least a month during the 28-month period.

Half the interruptions were for 5.7 months or longer - down from 7.1 months in the 1991-93 period, the report said.

Women were more likely than men to have continuous health insurance - 75 percent of women compared with 71 percent of men, the report said.

The report said more women live in families with incomes below the poverty level and more women are 65 years and older and all these seniors are covered by Medicare.

An estimated 23 percent of whites spent at least a month without health insurance compared with 36 percent for blacks and nearly 50 percent for Hispanics, the report said.

Attaining a high level of education appears to shorten the time someone goes without health insurance. Thirty-two percent of those without a high school diploma went with no coverage for at least a month. That compares with 29 percent for high school graduates and 20 percent for those completing at least a year of college.

The survey also found:

- About 11.9 million people went without any health insurance during the entire 28-month period.

- Young adults ages 18 to 24 were the most likely to go without heath insurance coverage for at least a month. Fifty-two percent lacked insurance for at least one month.