10 best and worst states for healthcare coverage (2024)
pressmaster from AdobeStock
Healthcare is notoriously expensive in the United States, even with insurance. For those without coverage, it can seem nearly impossible to access care.
According to the Census Bureau, nearly 92% of the U.S. population has some form of health insurance, whether via their employers, the Affordable Care Act marketplace or Medicaid. However, that still leaves over 8% of Americans, or 27 million, without insurance, and access to affordable health plans can ultimately depend on which state a person lives in.
Vivian Health, a job search platform for healthcare workers, ranked states by how far they landed above and below the national average rate of coverage. In Massachusetts, for example, 97.5% of the state residents have insurance, which is 6% higher than the U.S. average. In Texas, only 82% of the population is covered.
"According to our research, the driving factor behind those who are insured fell in line with the states that had accepted government initiatives for insurance aid such as the Medicaid expansion," says Bill Kong, chief marketing officer at Vivian Health. "This means that it is more affordable for all."
Medicaid was intended for low-income Americans who were disabled, elderly or caring for minors — Medicaid expansion meant other low-income adults could have a chance at coverage. States like Texas, Wyoming, Georgia and Florida, where state legislators refused to expand Medicaid eligibility, were bound to rank at the bottom. All 10 states ranked at the top of Vivian's list expanded Medicaid: these states either raised the income threshold deemed acceptable for eligibility, allowed adults without disabilities or children to qualify, or both.
Here are the 10 best and worst states for health insurance coverage, according to Vivian Health.
Georgia tops the list of worst states for healthcare, while Minnesota is the state with the best healthcare. Seven of the top 10 worst states for healthcare are in the South, including Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina, Arkansas and Texas.
South Dakota, California, and Minnesota top the list. WalletHub's study on retiree-friendly states ranks based on cost of living, healthcare quality, and life expectancy factors.
Mississippi tops the list of states with the worst healthcare outcomes. The Magnolia State ranked worst in the nation for several outcome-related metrics, including: Infant mortality rate (8.74 deaths per 1,000 live births). Stroke mortality rate (54.80 deaths per 100,000 state residents).
North Carolina ranks as the most expensive state for healthcare, while Hawaii is the most affordable.
Six of the top 10 most expensive states for healthcare are located in the South: North Carolina, Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana.
Utah is the healthiest state in the nation for older adults in 2024, according to the United Health Foundation's 12th annual "America's Health Rankings Senior Report." The May 30 report provides a comprehensive look at the health and well-being of Americans 65 and older.
Kaiser Permanente: Best health insurance. Blue Cross Blue Shield: Best health insurance for the self-employed. UnitedHealthcare: Best health insurance provider network. Aetna: Best health insurance for young adults.
The top five best states in terms of Medicaid quality was completed by California, Massachusetts and Oregon. At the other end of the scale South Dakota received the lowest overall score and was also ranked third-worst for access to coverage, for which neighbouring North Dakota finished bottom.
According to our research, Hawaii is the healthiest state in the US. It ranks best overall for having low disease risk factors and healthy lifestyle habits.
First state to achieve universal access to healthcare coverage. The California Blueprint will provide a full expansion of Medi-Cal access to all eligible Californians regardless of immigration status, including an estimated 764,000 undocumented immigrants.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
